Saad Al-Muhayawi, M.D., FRCSC
Saudi Journal of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Vol. 7, No. 1
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the incidence of various types of cancer of the larynx among patients presented to the
Oto-Rhino-Laryngology clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The clinic presentation and the outcome of using different treatment modalities for cancer of the larynx were reviewed.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 100 patients that represented to King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia with cancer of the larynx between 1993 and 1997. The age at presentation, male to female ratio, history of tobacco and alcohol consumption and the clinical presentation were recorded. The different modalities in diagnosis and treatment of these patients were also noted.
Results: Of the hundred cases of the cancer of the larynx reviewed 65% presented with advanced cancer stage (III, IV). Only 35% of the patients presented with cancer stage I and II cancer of the larynx. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (68%). Fifty percent of the cases underwent surgical treatment as a primary choice,

15% had post-radiotherapy salvage surgery, and 35% of the patients received radiotherapy with chemotherapy as a primary treatment.
Conclusion: Using modern diagnostic techniques and different modern treatment modalities including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and different surgical techniques has improved the quality of life of these patients with cancer of the larynx.
Keywords: Laryngeal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, laryngectomy