What is the best option for stage 3 vocal cords (laryngeal) cancer?

Welcome, @duckdogg1943. I moved your to the Head & Neck Cancer support group here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/).

In this group you'll meet other members like @alpaca @mindyt @suz22 @jano @popeyegurl @deborahe @jeffk @phinken @loli and more who have had laryngeal (vocal cord) cancer.

There are several treatment options available for stage 3 laryngeal cancer like surgery, chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation, or chemotherapy with radiation. Radiation therapy alone (or with the targeted drug cetuximab) may be an option for people who cannot tolerate more intensive treatments.

While we wait for others to chime in, @duckdogg1943 please share a bit more about yourself. Is this a recent diagnosis for you? Has your oncologist discussed treatment options with you yet?

Hi,
My cancer diagnosis was cricoid chondrosarcoma. I was able to have tumor surgically removed, and radiation and chemo were not indicated. Wishing @duckdogg1943 some peace and good information on this forum.
-DebE

Yes, they discuss surgery and the radiation with the chemo,I was just trying to see if there was any other options?

And I am one that don't want all that intesive treatment so is the radiation and this drug Cetuximab a good treatment?

I suggest creating a list of questions to ask your cancer team about radiation and cetuximab (Erbitux). Discuss what side effects may be likely for you and the risks of not taking these treatments.
- What side effects am I likely to experience?
- For how long?
- What can be done to help me prevent, reduce or manage these side effects and keep me as comfortable as possible?
- Are there other treatment options with fewer side effects?
- What are the consequences of no treatment or reduced treatment?

Answers to these questions might help you make your choices and prepare for treatment.

Hello, I had Hyperfractioal Radiation ( Radiation twice daily) had Larynx Cancer Stage 3, couldn't or didn't want Chemoradiation as my kidneys aren't in good shape, & Chemo wasn't an option on my part & my oncologist, they couldn't operate as the Tumor was to far into the Larynx..Ok was it rough, no doubt, but I pulled through it, barely took pain meds. As I don't like drugs in any form. So I drank Smoothies & Cream Soups, refused a feeding tube..3/23/22 was my last treatment..Thank God no recurrence so I'm Thankful, but late side effects are starting to pop up, Alot of Mucus, Dry Mouth, Hoarseness, the Hoarseness is so frustrating..but I'm happy to be here, I feel good..so has anyone had Larynx Cancer & your treatment was ?
Glad we can all share our stories
Happy Thanksgiving to all..

So I was in the hospital back in 2023 for what they thought was sepsis after I got out had to see my family doctor skip ahead year after I get hospitalized again bladder infection skip ahead to 2 months ago get hospitalized again and finally get in to Dr a kidney specialist who ask my why haven’t I been doing things to help my kidney disease well family doctor supposedly put in a referral which I checked on every month for 6 months never got in and actually doc nobody ever said anything about kidney disease to me he told me back in 2023 you had a kidney injury and this is what started this skip forwarded again he tells me I’m in stage 3b and we can try to manage but it will never get better so do I go back to family doctor and explain all this and demand a answer or just move on to a new doctor I know what I would like to do but that’s a different discussion..

I finally self referred to a nephrologist about a year ago. I'm 77 years old and he sees me every month, I'm in 3b. It was very difficult getting an appointment, all the nephrologists were booked out about 6 months.

The same happened to me. My rheumatologist asked me the same question and I didn’t know I had stage 3 kidney disease either. He helped me get with a nephrologist and I had a biopsy. I’m thinking this happens more often than we think. Hopefully this message reaches organizations like the AMA and ASN to communicate standards and guidelines for PCPs referring patients to nephrologists. I stayed with my PCP but now rely more on other specialists and seek help and answers more readily from other resources and providers.

@craigk1127 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I think as you read through the journeys of many members, you will find a similar experience. Our primary doctors don't seem to stress the importance of good kidney function, or downplay when we need to be addressing a problem. I honestly don't know why they do that! Mine did the same thing.

Push for that referral to a nephrologist, or check with your insurance to see if you can self-refer. It certainly seems difficult to get in to see specialists these days! Meanwhile, start following a sound renal diet, that includes limited protein, reduced potassium/calcium/phosphorous/salt. https://www.kidney.org/nutrition is a good place to start.
Get moderate exercise, good rest, minimize your stress. If you know why your kidney function is declining, you may want to look into helping that concern. High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of kidney disease.

We need to advocate for our own health. If your primary doesn't seem to want to help you, is there someone else in the same practice you can change to? Don't be afraid to speak up! If you need to go to another practice/doctor, it may take awhile to get in.
Ginger