Age and mortality in laryngeal cancer

A sample of 371 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated over a 17-year period has been statistically analysed. Age is shown to be an important prognostic parameter. Apart from the well-established additional risk factors, such as fixed cord, extension of the tumour beyond the larynx, fixed lymph nodes, distant metastasis and other malignancies, age by itself seems to be a crucial factor. A significant correlation exists between the age of the patient on admission and the chance of death from tumour within the first 3 years after treatment. In older patients survival is significantly lower and shorter than in younger patients.