Malignant tumors of the larynx: Clinicopathologic profile and implication for late disease presentation.
BACKGROUND
Malignant laryngeal tumors are uncommon. Late presentation of the disease may worsen management outcomes. We described the epidemiologic, clinicopathologic profile, and management outcomes of laryngeal tumors in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.


METHODS
An 11-year retrospective review of medical records of patients managed for malignant laryngeal tumor at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, was performed.


RESULTS
There were 97 patients comprising 74 (76.3%) males and 23 (23.7%) females with a mean age of 60.48 ± 12.15 years. The mean duration of illness was 7.3 ± 3.8 months. History of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption was in 2.1% and 14.4% patients, respectively. The most common clinical presentations were hoarseness, cough, and dyspnea. Transglottis (91.8%) was the most common anatomic tumor location and 92.8% patients presented in advanced disease stage. Four histologic types were identified with squamous cell carcinoma accounting for 96.9%. About 92% patients had emergency tracheostomy and 56 (57.7%) patients had total laryngectomy. The postoperative complications were pharyngocutaneous fistula (5.2%) and peristomal recurrence (3.1%). The 5-year survival rate was 52.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignant laryngeal tumors are uncommon, but more females are getting the disease. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histologic variant. Late stage disease presentation and initial wrong diagnosis contributed to the poor management outcome.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ayotunde James
AJ
Fasunla
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Oluwole Agboola
OA
Ogundoyin
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Paul Adekunle
PA
Onakoya
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Onyekwere George
OG
Nwaorgu
Late disease presentation; malignant laryngeal tumor; peristomal recurrence; pharyngocutaneous fistula; tracheostomy