Laryngeal Cancer Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause of laryngeal cancer is unknown.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Risk factors include:

• Smoking (by far the most common high-risk behavior)
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Race: Black
• Age: 55 or older
• Sex: male
• Occupational exposure to certain air pollutants such as wood dust, chemicals, and asbestos
• Gastroesophageal reflux—stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus and throat where it may come in contact with the larynx
• Weakened immune system