Faculty Collaboration Database

Carcinoma of the larynx in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Otolaryngol 1996;17(6):386-90

Date

11/01/1996

Pubmed ID

8944297

DOI

10.1016/s0196-0709(96)90071-x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0029825772 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   109 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the development of laryngeal cancer in patients who lack other accepted risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients either treated surgically or with radiation therapy for stage 1 or stage 2 laryngeal carcinoma with specific reference to smoking history and the presence of GERD.

RESULTS: We present 9 lifetime nonsmoking patients with stage 1 or 2 laryngeal carcinoma in whom GERD was clinically and/or radiographically shown. Also, 14 patients are identified who quit smoking more than 15 years before the development of laryngeal cancer and who also had evidence of GERD.

CONCLUSION: We propose that the development of laryngeal carcinoma in this cohort of patients who lack typical risk factors supports the notion that GERD plays a role in the etiology of carcinoma of the larynx. Because the accepted risk factors for laryngeal carcinoma such as smoking and alcohol use increase the likelihood of reflux, GERD may act as a cocarcinogen in smokers and drinkers. Of interest, the treatment of GERD can reverse the signs of chronic laryngitis and should be instituted in patients with laryngeal pathology who have GERD.

Author List

Freije JE, Beatty TW, Campbell BH, Woodson BT, Schultz CJ, Toohill RJ

Authors

Bruce H. Campbell MD Emeritus Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Christopher J. Schultz MD Chair, Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
B Tucker Woodson MD Chief, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Barrett Esophagus
Biopsy
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Chronic Disease
Female
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Larynx
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Smoking