The Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, provides care for adults with cancer of the larynx, a type of throat cancer. This includes diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for early, advanced and complex cancers.
The larynx, also called the voice box, is a small tube located in the middle of the neck. It lets air move from your throat to your lungs. It also holds the vocal cords. The larynx helps you breathe, talk, and swallow safely.
Laryngeal cancer and its treatment can affect your voice and ability to swallow. Mayo Clinic specialists focus on treating the cancer while helping you preserve or regain these functions.
The Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program in Minnesota brings together head and neck surgeons, oncologists and speech-language pathologists in one coordinated visit. This team approach helps ensure you receive a comprehensive care plan based on your needs and treatment goals.
Why choose Mayo Clinic
You receive care from a team of laryngeal cancer specialists who work together to create a personalized treatment plan.
Your care is closely coordinated across specialties. Imaging, testing, specialty care, surgery and follow-up are planned together. This helps reduce delays and keeps your care connected.
The Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program provides diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation in one program. When possible, your team uses treatments that help preserve your voice and swallowing. Rehabilitation is included early in your care.
Mayo Clinic is a referral center for complex laryngeal cancer. Specialists have experience treating many types of laryngeal cancer, including rare, advanced and complex cancers.
The Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program also works closely with the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, giving you access to cancer specialists, advanced treatments and clinical trials.
Is this program right for me?
You may benefit from the Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program if you:
- Have been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.
- Have advanced laryngeal cancer.
- Need rehabilitation of voice and swallowing function after treatment.
- Would like a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment plan.
What to expect at your first visit
Your visit is planned so you can complete testing and receive a full evaluation from your care team in one day.
Your evaluation may include:
After your evaluation, your care team reviews your test results and diagnosis with you. They answer your questions and explain your treatment options. You receive a personalized care plan by the end of your visit.
Your care team
Your healthcare professional may refer you to the Laryngeal Cancer and Rehabilitation Program in Minnesota. You also may schedule an appointment without a referral.
Your care is led by laryngeal cancer specialists, including
- Head and neck surgeons.
- Radiation oncologists, who treat cancer with targeted radiation.
- Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medicines, such as chemotherapy.
- Speech-language pathologists, who evaluate and treat voice and swallowing conditions.
- Neuroradiologists, who review imaging results to help diagnose and stage your cancer.
Your team also may include:
- Dietitians, who provide guidance on nutrition and help manage eating problems during and after treatment.
- Psychiatrists and psychologists with expertise in cancer care.
- Social workers, who provide counseling and connect you with support services and resources.
- Tobacco treatment specialists, who provide help with stopping tobacco use.
- Nurses.
Other specialists, such as thoracic surgeons or digestive disease specialists, also may be involved based on your needs
Advanced testing and diagnosis
A clear diagnosis and accurate staging guide your treatment plan. Mayo Clinic offers many advanced imaging and diagnostic tests, including:
- Barium swallow study. Uses X-rays to evaluate how well swallowing works and to see if cancer is affecting the throat.
- Stroboscopy. A thin, flexible tube with a light and small camera is passed through the nose to show how the vocal cords move and vibrate, helping find changes that may be caused by cancer.
- High-resolution MRI and CT scans. These noninvasive tests create detailed images of the larynx, helping doctors find tumors and see how far cancer has spread.
- PET/CT scan. This noninvasive test combines two imaging methods to show both the structure of the larynx and areas of active cancer.
- Circulating tumor DNA testing. A blood test that looks for small pieces of tumor DNA, which may help detect cancer or monitor response to treatment.
Treatment and rehabilitation
Your treatment plan is tailored to your cancer stage, overall health and treatment goals.
Mayo Clinic offers a full range of treatment options, such as:
Your care team explains each option, including how treatment may affect your voice and swallowing.
During and after treatment, speech-language pathologists work with you to improve swallowing, strengthen your throat muscles and help you communicate clearly. This may include voice therapy or learning new ways to speak, if needed.
Learn more about the Larynx and Trachea Transplant Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Research and clinical trials
At Mayo Clinic, physician-scientists and other researchers are working to find better ways to treat laryngeal cancer and improve outcomes.
Current areas of focus include:
- Studying whether immunotherapy or chemotherapy given before radiation can improve results.
- Exploring ways to lower radiation doses while still controlling the cancer.
- Developing treatments that preserve voice, swallowing and overall quality of life.
You may be able to take part in a clinical trial. Talk with your care team about whether a clinical trial may be right for you.
Explore Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery research at Mayo Clinic.
Jan. 17, 2026