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Laryngectomy (Head and Neck Cancer)

By Speech and Hearing BC | May 22, 2014

What is Laryngectomy (Head and Neck Cancer)?

A laryngectomy is the removal of the the larynx, or “voice box”, performed in the case of laryngeal cancer. Either the entire larynx (total laryngectomy) or a portion of it (partial laryngectomy) is removed surgically, and the airway is redirected through a stoma, or hole, in the patient’s throat. Because the larynx is removed, the person will no longer be able to speak using their vocal cords.

What can professionals do to help?

Because the patient’s vocal apparatus has been removed, they must find a new way of producing voice. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) will teach the patient to produce voice and speak by either using a voice prosthesis, an electrolarynx, or esophageal speech.

A voice prosthesis is a one-way valve, connecting the patient’s trachea to their esophagus. By covering their stoma, the patient redirects the air into their esophagus and vibrates esophageal tissue producing a hoarse voice.

An electrolarynx is an external device that is placed on the patient’s neck and vibrates to create a “voice” which the patient then forms into speech.

Esophageal speech is a method of producing voice whereby the patient forces air into the esophagus and then pushes it back up, vibrating the esophageal tissue.

SLPs can provide support for the patient and his/her family through counseling and strategies that help ease the patient into communicating in a new way. Group therapy may be helpful to provide the patient with opportunities to become accustomed to their new voice.