[Distant metastases originating from tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx].

Following a review of the world literature dealing with the incidence of remote metastases in tumours in the ENT field in general, and of the larynx and hypopharynx in particular, we present a study covering 927 patients suffering from cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx. The purpose of the research was to determine the incidence and position of metastases in this type of patient, and to determine their evolution. A total of 786 patients were followed over a minimum of 4 years, and 52 cases (6.7%) of metastases were recorded. They occur all the more frequently when the primary tumour is hypopharyngeal, of the low differentiated carcinoma type, or when there is a cervical ganglionic extension.