Malignant otolaryngological tumors in children

The details of 37 children presenting a malignant tumor in the ENT-region (period 1950-1983) are presented and discussed. The prevalence was higher in boys than in girls and the most common tumors were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 14) and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 13). The most common primary sites were the nasopharynx (9 cases), the paranasal sinuses (7 cases) and the soft tissue in the parotid region (7 cases). In 23 children the presence of a painless tumor was the first symptom, in 11 pain was predominant. Only a minority (5 children) presented a limited tumor; in 20 children there was a local extension of the tumor and in 10 children metastases were present at the first visit. The beneficial role of chemotherapy and the necessity of a good teamwork in the treatment of these children is outlined. Of the 37 children, 14, (38%) are surviving; of these 14 children, 12 are off therapy and cured. It is demonstrated that the prognosis improved considerably since the last 14 years.