title: Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of larynx and hypopharynx carcinoma: a comparative study in the Hainaut and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology and clinical picture of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas have changed significantly in the past 50 years. The aim of this study was to analyze selected epidemiological and clinical characteristics of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A complete chart review of all patients records was conducted. All the patients who were diagnosed as having laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2009 were included in the study. The demographics of the patient population, the disease profile were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  138 patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal disease were treated. 76 patients presented a laryngeal cancer. Disease characteristics indicated that most cases of supraglottic cancer were in a locally advanced stage (84.4%), whereas most patients with glottis cancer were diagnosed with early stage (63.3%). A hypopharyngeal cancer was diagnosed in 62 cases. A significant increasing trend in hypopharyngeal cancer has been seen in males. The majority of the patients was alcohol consumers and had a histology showing squamous cell carcinoma. There were 33 females and 105 males whose ages ranged at presentation from 47 to 86 years. Of the 138 patients treated, 24 and 47 patients were respectively T3 and T4 and 37 patients were N1, 37 patients N2 and 10 patients N3 (Table I). Most patients had stage IV disease (65/138). Majority of cases presented with local advanced stage. Of the 138 patients treated, 24 and 47 patients were respectively T3 and T4. The highest rate of local advanced stage was observed in patients with pyriform sinus carcinomas (81%); the lowest rate was observed for glottis tumors (41.8%). Regional lymph node metastases were diagnosed in 61% of the analyzed cases. 37 patients were N1, 37 patients N2 and 10 patients N3. The highest rate (82.2%) of regional lymph node metastases were observed in cases of pyriform sinus carcinomas, and the lowest (31.7%) in glottis carcinomas. Most patients had stage IV disease (65/138). 49 patients received radiotherapy; 48 patients were treated by surgery followed by (chemo)radiotherapy. 41 patients were treated initially by concomitant chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tendency for increasingly younger patients to develop larynx and hypopharynx carcinomas was observed. Most patients had stage IV disease but no trend for a percentage increase in locally advanced tumors was observed. A significant increasing trend in hypopharyngeal cancer has been seen in males.
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, CHU Charleroi (Vésale), Montigny le Tilleul, Belgium. didier.dequanter@chu-charleroi.be
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Dequanter
authors: Ph
authors: P
authors: Lothaire
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Zouaoui
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Brohée
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged