Abstract
Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is currently the second most common malignancy
of the airway after lung cancer, and hypopharyngeal cancer accounts for fewer than
5% of head and neck cancers. The nonsurgical options for patients with this disease
are related to significant long-term toxicities and the need for persistent tracheostomy,
which adversely affects the quality of life of these patients.
Objective To evaluate the need for tracheostomy, and the influence of this in the overall and
specific survival rates of patients diagnosed with all stages of laryngeal carcinoma
treated by chemoradiotherapy.
Methods A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma was performed
according to the criteria of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and
the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition, in a tertiary hospital.
Results A total of 21 patients were evaluated, 8 patients required a tracheotomy (31%) during
the treatment protocol, 7 (35%) men and 1 (100%) women. According to subsite 4/4 patient
with glottis cancer (p ≤ 0.001), 2/10 patients with supra glottis cancer and 2/7 patients
with hypopharyngeal cancer. During follow up, just in 1 patient was possible to close
the tracheostomy.
Conclusion Persistent tracheostomy dependence after primary chemoradiation increases significantly
the morbidity, and decreases the quality of life of those patients. Patients with
glottis cancer are prone to need a tracheostomy, but no statistical difference regarding
the oncological stage and the need for a tracheostomy were detected. A more thorough
selection of the patients is needed to improve the quality of life and reduce permanent
tracheostomy dependence.
Keywords
larynx - cancer - radiotherapy - chemotherapy - tracheostomy
