Multiple primary tumours in laryngeal cancer.

All 748 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx treated in the Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, between 1964 and 1983 were analysed retrospectively with regards to the occurrence of multiple primary tumours. One hundred and four (14 per cent) second primary tumours were reported. Seventy-three (10 per cent) were situated in the respiratory tract and upper digestive tract. Of these 73, 64 were localized in the lung. No esophageal carcinomas were reported. Male patients, with a glottic carcinoma had a statistically higher change of developing a second primary than female patients (14.5 per cent versus 0 per cent). In both sexes more multiple primary tumours occurred in supraglottic than in glottic cancers. Only in female patients was the difference statistically significant. Because of the high rate of lung carcinomas, and since most tumours are metachronous, bronchoscopy is justified at the initial work-up and is also to be considered at regular intervals during the follow-up period.