P. E. Robin

Staging carcinoma : its value in cancer of the larynx

Three thousand four hundred and forty-five cases of cancer of the larynx were examined and 3,235 assigned to their TNM group. While good correlation with prognosis could be seen, the value of the detailed subsite (as opposed to the main laryngeal regions) was limited to defining T1a and T1b and aiding that of T2. T status gives some indication of prognosis, but the N status is of almost overriding importance.

Cancer of the Larynx

Introduction and methods epidemiology - demographic aspects multiple primaries, social class and occupation histology incidence by sub-site stage - supraglottis, glottis, subglottis survival - larynx, treatment survival related to treatment second treatments. Appendices: Birmingham and West Midlands Regional Cancer Registry standarized rates census and inter-censal populations TNM classification of malignant tumours - larynx.

Primary treatment of cancer of the larynx

Analysis of 3,445 cases of cancer of the larynx with a follow-up of 99.8 per cent shows that over a period in which the survival has improved neither the modality of the treatment nor the severity of the cancer has changed. Improved survival may be due to socioeconomic factors or an improvement in the quality of treatment.

Survival Related to Treatment

This chapter examines the results of different treatment regimes and relates them to survival. The treatment given first (the primary treatment) is the one designated. Many cases will have suffered from recurrences and undergone successful second or even third treatments, for larynx is a site where this is both feasible and useful.

Incidence by Sub-site

Observation of time trends over an extended period may be of great epidemiological value e.g. the behaviour of tumour incidence may give either clues to the aetiology or indications of where to look.

Multiple Primaries, Social Class and Occupation

During the review of all the cases of cancer of the larynx it was recorded which patients suffered from one or more additional primary cancers. Each one was clinically verified to the stringent Registry standards. It became apparent that only certain cancers were associated with cancer of the larynx.