Laryngeal carcinoma: our experience at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Carcinoma of the larynx, like other head and neck cancers is among the most debilitating tumour in which early diagnosis remains the best predictor of survival. In Spain where carcinoma of the larynx is common, it accounts for 5.6% of all malignancies. During the period under review carcinoma of the larynx accounted for 3.4% of head and neck cancers confirmed in our institution. It is commoner in males and it can be glottic, supraglottic or subglottic, with the highest cure rate in glottic, followed by supraglottic tumour. In developing countries like ours, late presentation is a major problem in the management of most malignant diseases, often due to poverty and ignorance. At times delay in diagnosis and management may be responsible as witnessed in this review. Efforts are being made to find a useful marker to enhance early detection of this disease. Markers of alcohol abuse (Ggt, Vcm) which were thought to be useful have not shown a correlation with any feature of this disease.' Retinoblastoma tumour suppressor gene (Rb) may be useful in determining the presence of nodal metastasis in this disease in the near future.