Laryngeal carcinoma with synchronous or metachronous bronchogenic carcinoma

Primary carcinoma of the lung may accompany or follow primary carcinoma of the larynx. This relationship was noted in 2 patients in whom the tumors occurred synchronously, and in 3 in whom they occurred metachronously. The lung cancer with bronchopulmonary symptoms in the synchronous group, and with an abnormal radiographic shadow (1 to 5 years after treatment for laryngeal carcinoma) in the metachronous group. The lung growth (squamous-cell carcinoma) was confined to the upper lobes. The patients were all heavy cigarette smokers. The epithelium of the entire respiratory tract seems susceptible to malignant change. Patients who have undergone treatment for laryngeal carcinoma should be followed by periodic radiologic examination, as they are at greater risk for the development of a new malignant lesion in the lung. Moreover, patients with bronchogenic carcinoma require routine laryngoscopic examination to discover or rule out any coexistent primary growth in the larynx.