Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in young adults

Clinical and pathologic features of squamous cell carcinoma in 33 young adults (19 to 34 years) are presented. The most important difference between these patients and older subjects with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is the female preponderance in the young. Sixty percent were smokers but no other predisposing factors were uncovered. Histologic grade of malignancy had no impact on prognosis but, as it is with any head and neck site, the most important prognostic predictor is clinical stage.