Laryngeal Carcinoma - Patient Profile and Delay in Referral

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compile a profile of patients with laryngeal carcinoma presenting to the ENT clinic at Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with laryngeal carcinoma were prospectively interviewed and information regarding their symptoms, social habits and delay in referral was recorded. Staging was performed in the operating theatre.

Results: Hoarseness was the most common symptom (98%). Sixty-four percent of patients presented with airway obstruction and 26% had a visible neck mass. The median patient delay was 1.5 months, while the median professional delay was 5 months. The median total delay was 7 months. Glottic and supraglottic tumours were the most common at 36% and 34% respectively. Eighty percent of patients were either stage 3 or 4, while only 20% were classified as early cancers (stage 1 and 2).

Conclusion: In this study the majority of patients presented with advanced tumours. Both patients and medical professionals did not seem to realize the significance of unrelenting hoarseness as a possible symptom of laryngeal cancer. We propose the initiation of an awareness campaign to address this problem.