Prognosis of patients with recurrent laryngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Although recurrent laryngeal carcinoma is a common clinical problem, the data regarding its natural history and prognostic factors are limited. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical course of patients with recurrent laryngeal carcinoma and determine the impact of various factors on their survival.


METHODS
The medical files of 65 patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer treated at the Rabin Medical Center between 1975 and 1996 were reviewed. The possible risk factors for survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models.


RESULTS
The estimated 2- and 5-year survival rates of the patient population were 67% and 56%, respectively. On univariate analysis, primary tumor site, T stage and nodal status, duration of disease-free interval, site of recurrence, and operability of recurrent tumor were all powerful prognostic factors for survival. On multivariate analysis, three variables retained statistical significance: primary tumor site (p < .001), site of recurrence (p < .001), and its operability (p = .005).


CONCLUSIONS
We found several disease-related factors to be predictive of poor outcome in patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer. Our data emphasize the need for early detection not only of primary tumors but also of their recurrences.
Brenner
B
B
Institute of Oncology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. brennerb@bezeqint.net
Marshak
G
G
Sulkes
A
A
Rakowsky
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors