title: Radiotherapy of the neck influences the distribution of laryngeal secretory glands.
abstract: To elucidate the influence of radiation therapy on the larynx in patients who receive radiotherapy to the neck, we observed the changes in the distribution of the laryngeal glands. Human adult larynges from patients with either laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer were histopathologically examined, and the changes in the glandular distribution as well as in the ratio of serous or mucous type cells were surveyed using an image analysis system. The mean ratio of the area occupied by glandular acini in the subglottic larynx was 0.182 in the non-radiation group and 0.098 in the radiation group (p < 0.001). Although no statistical difference was observed, the average density of the glands decreased and the average ratio of serous-type/mucous-type glandular cells decreased in the irradiated larynx. The glandular acini are often replaced with fibrous connective tissue and the ratio of serous-type glandular cells decreases. These results indicate that not only the voice function but also the local defence function of the larynx might be impaired after radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. orlkaku@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Hideichiro
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.forename: Sachio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.forename: Shun-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chitose
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged