Treatment of Stage IV Laryngeal Cancer

For information about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.

Treatment of newly diagnosed stage IVA, IVB, and IVC laryngeal cancer depends on where cancer is found in the larynx.

If cancer is in the supraglottis or glottis, treatment may include the following:

• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given together.
• Chemotherapy followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy given together. Laryngectomy may be done if cancer remains.
• Radiation therapy alone for patients who cannot be treated with chemotherapy and surgery.
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy. Chemotherapy may be given with the radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy alone compared with radiation and targeted therapy (cetuximab).
• A clinical trial of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiosensitizers, or radiation therapy.

If cancer is in the subglottis, treatment may include the following:

• Laryngectomy plus total thyroidectomy and removal of lymph nodes in the throat, usually followed by radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given together.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy alone compared with radiation and targeted therapy (cetuximab).
• A clinical trial of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiosensitizers, or radiation therapy.

Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.