Statistics for Laryngeal Cancer

Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. Keep in mind, however, that statistics show what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, you can’t use statistics to know or predict what will happen to you. These are some statistics from the American Cancer Society about laryngeal cancer in the United States .

• In 2007, about 11,300 people will be told they have laryngeal cancer.

• Laryngeal cancer is 4 to 5 times more common among men than women. Of all new cases, about 9,000 will be in men and about 2,300 will be in women.

• Smokers have a greater risk of developing cancer of the larynx than nonsmokers.

• Heavy drinkers of alcohol are at greater risk of getting laryngeal cancer than nondrinkers. Some studies report that people who smoke and drink are up to 100 times more likely to have laryngeal cancer than people who do not smoke or drink.

• More than half of the people with cancer of the larynx are diagnosed after age 65.

• Laryngeal cancer is about 50% more common among African Americans than among white Americans.

• Approximately 3,600 people will die of this cancer.