Abstract
Objective: To investigate the presenting features of cases of laryngeal carcinoma to a large tertiary head and neck center over a 4-year period.
Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on laryngeal cancer patients presenting to our head and neck center between 2007 and 2011. Information on sex, age, smoking status, presenting symptoms, tumor location, tumor staging, and histopathology was collected from the Somerset Cancer Registry, using hospital case notes for completion.
Results: A total of 105 cases presented during the study period, of which 88.6% were male. The mean age was 66.1 years (range, 37-89). 89.6% of patients had a smoking history. The most common presenting symptom was voice change (79.1%), followed by throat pain (14.0%). 84.8% of tumors were glottic, with 15.2% supraglottic. 4.7% of tumors were diagnosed as stage-0, 30.8% stage-I, 22.4% stage-II, 18.7% stage-III, 9.3% stage-IVA, 9.3% stage-IVB, and 2.8% stage-IVC. Twelve (11.4%) presented with nodal disease, and 3 with distant metastases (2.9%). On histopathology, 29.2% of tumors were well differentiated, 52.8% moderately differentiated and 18.0% poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas.
Conclusion: Advanced age, smoking history, and dysphonia remain the most common features of laryngeal carcinoma presentations. Detection of early disease is vital to improve prognosis. Results should help focus referral pathways and enable family physicians to most easily identify those at risk. Smoking cessation programs must continue to be a priority.
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