Laryngeal malignancy: epidemiology and staging at the time of presentation in a rural population

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Laryngeal cancer is one of the 10 leading causes of cancer in Indian men. Late presentation of the disease may worsen management outcomes. Consumption of tobacco and alcohol is associated with the development of laryngeal malignancy.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of ENT, at Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Chamarajanagar, India, for a period of 2 years 6 months from October 2014 to March 2017. During the study period, all cases that were diagnosed as Laryngeal malignancy by histopathology were included in the study group. The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiology, anatomical location of the tumor at presentation, clinical presentation and the stage of the tumor at the time of presentation. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Majority of patients were elderly male from lower socio-economic strata. The most common clinical presentations were change in voice, pain in throat, difficulty in swallowing, lump in neck and difficulty in breathing. Supraglottis (82%) was the most common anatomic location of tumor. 60% of the patients presented in stage III of the disease. All the cases were squamous cell carcinoma.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Laryngeal malignancy is a relatively uncommon malignancy in general population but is more common in rural population especially in people belonging to lower socio-economic strata. Supraglottic malignancy is the most common anatomic location of laryngeal malignancy. Majority of the cases from rural population presented in an advanced stage of the disease.</p>