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Treatment results, side effects and prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with larynx cancer

Birsen Yücel
Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
Ayfer Ay Eren
Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
Eda Erdiş
Department of Radiation Oncology, Antakya Government Hospital, Hatay, Turkey
Nalan Akgül Babacan
Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
Emine Elif Altuntaş
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
Received: 12 September 2024
Published: 03 February 2013

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to determine the treatment results, side effects and the prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with larynx cancer treated in our clinic.

Methods: Data of a total of 90 patients with larynx carcinoma were included in the study. The patients’ performance scores were evaluated according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) system.

Results: Eighty-seven (97%) patients were male and three patients (3%) were female. The median age of the patients was 59 (37-86) years. Early-stage, locally advanced stage, and metastatic disease were detected in 43, 55, and 2% of the patients, respectively. Laryngeal cancers were observed in the glottic (53%), and supraglottic (47%) regions. Performance score (p=0.022), grade (p=0.033), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), T stage (p=0.034) and disease stage (p=0.007) were significantly unfavourable in supraglottic cancers compared to glottic cancers. Recurrence was observed in 17% of the patients in a median 15 (range: 5-96) months. Distant metastasis was observed in 12% of the patients in a median 17 (range: 1-155) months. The factors affecting survival were the presence of comorbidities (p=0.032), performance status (p=0.022), hemoglobin level (p=0.003), T stage (p=0.006), disease stage (p=0.011), and weight loss (p=0.002). When RT- and CRT-associated side effects were compared, the incidence of adverse effects such as mucositis (p<0.001), nausea/vomiting (p<0.001), weight loss (p=0.005), neutropenia (p=0.001), and anemia (p=0.003) in patients under chemoradiotherapy was significantly higher than those associated with radiotherapy.

Conclusion: Hemoglobin level, T stage, presence of comorbidity and weight loss were independent prognostic factors.

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