Comparative evaluation of laryngeal cancer risk factors in elderly and non-elderly patients

Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in head and neck and it has different prevalence in various geographic areas in the world. Laryngeal cancer occurs almost in elderly men and rarely under forty five years of age. This study was undertaken with the aim to determine and compare risk factors in laryngeal malignancies in patients under and older than forty five years old. Patients and This retrospective analytical study was conducted in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences from 1997 to 2003. The risk factors of laryngeal cancer (Familial history of head and neck malignancy, Positive past medical history of head and neck malignancy, Gastro-esophageal reflux, Smoking more than 20 Pack/Year, Opium dependency, Exposure to toxin agents and industrial environment more than 15 years, Alcohol, HPV, Radiation) and the most common site involvement (1.glottic, 2.supra-glottic, 3.sub-glottic) and finally most common complaint in these groups were investigated and were compared with each other.This study included 116 known cases of laryngeal malignancies with documented pathological report. Ninety one patients were older than forty five years (Mean ± SD: 59 ± 3.5) and twenty five patients under forty five years old (Mean ± SD: 33 ± 2.1). We found that opium dependency, positive family history, exposure to industrial environment over 15 years period and gastroesophageal reflux were associated more frequently in patients with less than forty five years old compared to other group with statistically significant findings.Although all two groups have no difference in histological type and site and location of laryngeal cancer, but it seems Familial history of head and neck malignancy, Gastro-esophageal reflux, Opium dependency and Exposure to toxin agents and industrial environment more than 15 years have significant effect in patients under forty five years old.