Distant metastases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Distant metastases (DM) is the point of concern and seems to be on the rise with the improved control of the laryngeal cancer in the primary site and neck regions. Prognostic factors must be evaluated to improve the detection of DM at early stage of the disease. Therefore, we have analyzed our cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with DM to find out the risk factors in these patients. We analyzed the records of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients with DM. The records were evaluated according to distant metastases site, TNM staging, the metastases at the neck, treatment and survival. The incidence of DM was 7.2% in our series. Lung is the most common site of DM in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Staging grouping has been helpful in predicting DM, most of the cases were in stage III and IV (85%). Supraglottic lesions is the most common site in patients with DM. The recurrence in the locoregional site was observed in 47% of cases. The overall survival with DM is 28 months, without DM 22 months. The patients with DM in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were from the group with supraglottic lesions, stage 3, 4a and 4b. Stage grouping seems to be a better indicator of DM rather than T or N stage alone. The most common site of metastasis is the lung.