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Introduction
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the seventh most common cancer in the world, of which about 25% consists of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) [1]. LSCC is the second most common malignancy of the respiratory tract tumor, after lung cancer [2]. Symptoms of the LSCC include hoarseness, sore throat, dysphagia, painful swallowing, otalgia, cough and expectoration of blood [3]. About 150,000 new LSCC cases are diagnosed worldwide every year [1]. The overall survival rate has not significantly improved despite continuous improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer because of the tumor’s enigmatic occurrence and high recurrence rate [4]. According to the European Cancer Information System 190 new cases of laryngeal cancer were identified in Lithuania in 2022, most of them were diagnosed in men (178 cases) [5]. In recent years, LSC) has shown novel epidemiological traits. The incidence rate of laryngeal cancer has increased among young people, especially those under 40 years old. This tendency may be brought on by variables including changing patterns of alcohol and tobacco use, rising HPV infection rates, and bad lifestyle choices [4]. The disease is characterized by a different clinical course, prognosis and treatment, depending on the site of onset in the larynx [2]. The most favorable clinical course of LSCC was determined for the tumor that appeared in the vocal cords, due to the weak lymph flow and rarely detected metastases in regional neck lymph nodes [6]. Based on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, the five-year relative survival rate for cancer that develops in the vocal cords is approximately 77% [7]. While the laryngeal supraglottis and subglottis regions have a rich lymphatic network, cancer in these areas is more likely to result in metastases to the regional lymph nodes [6]. The occurrence of LSCC is influenced by risk factors [8]. According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors such as gastroesophageal reflux, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, genetic inheritance, exposure to chemicals, asbestos, nickel or ionizing radiation, and some viral infections are associated with the development of laryngeal cancer [9]. Also, it has been proven that tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption play an important role in the carcinogenesis of this tumor [10]. Inflammation signaling pathways and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes may contribute to...