Prognostic parameters in metastatic spread of laryngeal cancer: clinico-histopathological correlations

The authors present a series of 130 patients with laryngeal tumours submitted to total or horizontal laryngectomy and to neck dissection. The possible correlations between the staging and histology of the primary lesion, tumour marker (LASA) and the incidence of lymph node metastases are examined. The information provided by clinical and histopathological parameters is no doubt useful, but the margin of clinical error is high. On the contrary, the tumour marker concentration (LASA) was significantly higher in the patients whose lymph nodes were found to be histologically invaded, than in those without metastatic spread. Consequently, the LASA test may assume clinical importance before surgical therapy and in the follow-up of treated patients.