Profile and treatment outcome of laryngeal cancer patients attended at ORCI from 2008 to 2011.

Abstract

Laryngeal cancer is the cancer of the cells found in the larynx. The new cases diagnosed annually have significant geographical variation. Laryngeal cancer is more common to male compared female and more in low social economic class. It is more prevalent in elderly people and the glottis area is the most common site. The high risk factors associated with laryngeal cancer include smoking cigarette, excessive alcohol consumption especially spirits, squamous cell carcinoma is by far the commonest histological type and the symptoms include hoarseness of voices, sore throat, painful swallowing and change in voice quality or enlarged neck nodes. In early stages, laryngeal cancer can be treated by surgery or radiotherapy and combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in late stages of the disease. Objective of the study: The aimed to describe the disease profile of the patient with laryngeal cancer attended at ocean road cancer institute, Tanzania from 2008 to 2011. Methodology: The study was hospital based cross-sectional study and it was conducted at ocean road cancer institute targeting included all patients with laryngeal cancer from 2008 to 2011, whose baseline characteristics were determined before beginning of treatment and at least one follow up visit and excluded all subjects whose records were not available. Socio demographic characteristics, disease and treatment profiles were clearly documented. Results: 72 patients were included in a study, 86.1% were males and 13.9% were females. The youngest patient was 35 years and the oldest patient had 84 years with mean age 58.1 years, where by 59.7% of the patients included in the study had primary education and below. 64.4% had history of both alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking prior to disease development and the glottis area was common disease site by 66.7% with squamous cell carcinoma the most histological type by 98.6%. Majority had advanced disease stage III and IV with 73.6% of all patients included in the study where by the combination chemo radiation was common treatment modality. Conclusion and recommendation: Most of the laryngeal cancer patients attended at ORCI was mid age males with low level of education, presented with late stage disease and they were treated by combination chemoradiation which offered symptomatic relief. The proportion of patients attaining complete remission following treatment was low and this is probably due to late disease presentation. Health education, change of behavior campaigns towards cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption and improvement of health infrastructures are needed to reduce the disease development and improve its diagnosis and treatment.