Cancer in the larynx or voice box is called laryngeal cancer. The larynx is a part of our throat that aids in speaking, breathing, and swallowing. The vocal cords are present here. Cancer occurs when the cells in the larynx grow uncontrollably. Many cancers in the voice box start on the surface and are called squamous cell carcinoma. There are also rarer types of voice box cancer from the small salivary glands or other tissues like muscles and cartilage.