Best Clinics for Vocal Cords Cancer in Spain

Why is it Worth Choosing Spanish Hospitals for Vocal Cords Cancer Treatment?

• Spanish hospitals offer affordable treatment options, which is a major advantage for patients who may not be able to afford treatment in other countries such as Israel, the UK and the USA, where medical cost is 10% higher.
• The best Clinics for Vocal Cords Cancer Treatment in Spain are:
  • Quironsalud Hospital Torrevieja has received over the years several awards, among which the TOP 20 Awards given by IQVIA Healthcare. This ensures the clinic’s good practice in disease management.
  • Sant Joan de Déu Hospital is a multi-specialty clinic that aims to provide the best possible care. The hospital is famous for research activities to explore innovative treatment options that make a great difference in patient recovery

• The best Vocal Cords Cancer Doctors in Spain are:
  • Prof. Dr. Josep Tabernero is a senior oncologist at the Quironsalud Barcelona Hospital, having 30 years of experience in advanced cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and EBRT
  • Dr. Andrés Varela de Ugarte is a specialized thoracic oncologist who performs minimally invasive techniques to treat neck, vocal cords and lung tumors. He has over 30 years of experience.

How Do Spanish Doctors Diagnose Vocal Cords Cancer in Spain?

Spanish doctors use a combination of techniques to diagnose vocal cord cancer, including:

• Physical examination: The doctor examines your throat and neck to look for signs of cancer, such as lumps or abnormalities.
• Biopsy: If your doctor suspects that you may have vocal cord cancer, a biopsy is performed. During this, a small piece of tissue is removed from the affected area and examined under a microscope to determine if it contains cancerous cells.
• Imaging tests: CT scan or MRI can help doctors determine the extent of cancer and whether it has spread to other body parts.
• Laryngoscopy: A diagnostic test in which a thin, flexible tube with a camera on its end is inserted through the mouth or nose and into the throat to allow the doctor to examine the vocal cords and surrounding tissue.

What are the Treatment Options for Vocal Cords Cancer in Spain?

Spanish clinics offer invasive and non-invasive options to treat vocal cord tumors. The non-invasive techniques include

Radiation Therapy

• It is a common treatment option for vocal cord cancer. During the procedure, you will lie in a specific position to ensure the radiation is delivered precisely to the affected area. This may involve the use of special moulds or immobilization devices.
• The radiation oncologist uses a linear accelerator to deliver high-energy radiation beams from different angles to ensure the cancerous cells receive a high dose while minimizing the radiation to healthy tissue.

Chemotherapy

• It is one of the treatment options for vocal cord cancer, along with surgery and radiation therapy. This uses drugs to kill cancer cells by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells and stopping them from growing and dividing.
• Chemotherapy drugs can be administered in several ways, including:
  • Intravenous (IV) infusion: The drugs are delivered directly into the arm or hand vein.
  • Oral medication: Some chemotherapy drugs can be taken by mouth as a pill or liquid.

• The drugs are typically given in cycles, each consisting of a period of treatment followed by rest. The length and number of cycles may vary depending on the drugs used and the individual patient's response to treatment.

Laser therapy

• It can be used to treat vocal cord cancer by removing or destroying cancerous tissue in the throat. The doctor will insert a laryngoscope into your throat to visualize the vocal cords and identify the location of the cancerous tissue.
• Using a laser device, the oncologist carefully removes or destroys the cancerous tissue in vocal cords. The laser emits a focused light beam that can cut, vaporize, or cauterize tissue.
• After completion, the doctor may perform a biopsy to confirm that all the cancerous tissue has been removed.

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Surgeries for Vocal Cords Cancer in Spain

Vocal cord cancer can be treated using a variety of invasive approaches. These include

Endoscopic Surgery

• It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that can be used to treat vocal cord cancer. The procedure involves the use of a small, flexible tube called an endoscope, which is equipped with a light source and a camera.
• You will be positioned in a way that allows the surgeon to access the vocal cords through the mouth. The surgeon may use a mouth gag to keep the mouth open and provide better access to the vocal cords.
• The endoscope provides a view of the vocal cords on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the tumors. Using specialized surgical instruments, such as forceps or lasers, the surgeon removes the vocal cord tumors.
• Once the tumor is removed, a small tissue sample may be taken for biopsy to confirm that all cancerous cells have been removed. After that, the surgical staff places a small stitch to close the incisions. The surgery takes approximately 90 minutes.

Laryngectomy

• It is another surgical procedure performed to treat vocal cord cancer. During this procedure, the larynx, or voice box, is removed in order to eradicate the cancerous tissue. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, which means that you will be unconscious. The surgeon will make an incision in the neck to access the larynx. The surgery takes two hours.
• There are several types of laryngectomy procedures, including:
  • Partial laryngectomy: This surgery removes only a part of the larynx (voice box) containing cancer. The remaining healthy tissue is then reconnected to preserve speech and swallowing.
  • Hemilaryngectomy: Only half or one side of the larynx is removed in this approach. You will be able to speak after this surgery, but your voice may sound different.
  • Total laryngectomy: This procedure involves removing the entire larynx. The surgeon creates a hole (stoma) in the neck to breathe through and a new way to swallow.

Cordectomy

• During this procedure, a surgeon removes all or part of one or both of the vocal cords. The surgeons use different approaches to perform this procedure, including:
  • Partial cordectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon removes only part of one vocal cord. This is typically done for small or early-stage tumors.
  • Laser cordectomy: A minimally invasive procedure where a laser is used to remove the cancerous tissue from the vocal cords. This technique is often used for small or superficial tumors.
  • Endoscopic cordectomy: It involves using an endoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a camera on end, to guide the surgeon as they remove the cancerous tissue from the vocal cords.
  • Open cordectomy: This is a more invasive procedure where the surgeon makes a large incision in the neck to access the vocal cords. This technique is typically used for larger or more advanced tumors.

• The duration of surgery can vary from two to three hours

Recovery after Vocal Cords Cancer Treatment

• Recovery after treatment for vocal cord cancer can be a long and challenging process and may take three to four months.
• It can take several weeks or months for your vocal cords to heal fully after treatment. During this time, you may experience hoarseness, difficulty speaking, or changes in your voice. Be patient and give your body time to heal.
• A speech therapist can help you regain your ability to speak clearly and improve your vocal strength and endurance. They may recommend exercises to strengthen your vocal cords or techniques to help you speak more effectively.
• Eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can help speed your recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
• You may experience side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or skin irritation. Your doctor can prescribe medications or recommend other strategies to help manage these side effects.
• It is important to schedule follow-up appointments and notify your doctor of any new symptoms or concerns.