Squamous cell carcinoma of larynx in northwestern Iran

The aim of this study was investigation of laryngeal cancer in northwestern Iran, Urmia to have a clear roadmap for planning the next health policy programs. This study was conducted in the largest tertiary center, northwestern Iran. Of all 23474 patients referred to the clinics of ENT in the Hospital, totally 267 cases were admitted as inpatients with laryngeal problems, 196 patients (73.4%) underwent laryngoscopy, of whom 145 (54.3%) were biopsied. Of these biopsied specimens, 103 cases (71%) were non-malignant lesions and the rest 42 specimens (29%) had malignancies. During the period of study, for five years, totally 0.1% of the cases had laryngeal cancer, which was confirmed by pathological studies. All of the cases were pathologically detected as squamous cell carcinoma. 35 cases of detected 42 patients (83.3%) had at least a smoking history of daily 20 cigarettes for ten years. Any other risk factors were not detected as significant (p>0.05). The locations involved by the tumor included as 16 cases (38%) supraglottic, 18 cases (42.8%) glottic, and 8 cases (19%) were reported with unknown location. The main clinical manifestations of the patients were dysphonia, dysphagia, weight loss, dyspnea, laryngalgia, cervical lymphadenitis, stridor, hemoptesis, coughing.As a conclusion and and due to the relatively high incidence of the laryngeal cancer in the population (0.1%), and higher rate among the inpatients admitted in the ENT ward (15.7%), we suggest comprehensive planning and measurements to be implemented in the society level for this hidden public health problem.