Prognostic significance of histopathological parameters in cancer of the larynx

In this study we investigated the prognostic significance of differentiation, the mode of tumor invasion to surrounding tissues, the microscopic appearance of tumor, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration and cartilage involvement according to disease-free survival, and the recurrence and presence of cervical lymph node metastasis in cancer of the larynx. Only the mode of tumor invasion to surrounding tissues was significantly related to survival (P < 0.05). The patients with 'well-defined margin' tumors survive significantly longer than those with 'groups of cells, no distinct margin.' Patients with supraglottic tumors and a mode of invasion other than 'well-defined margin' have a significantly higher risk of recurrence (P < 0.05) and therefore require adjuvant therapy. Patients with poorly differentiated, cartilage invading, ulcerative supraglottic tumors, and patients with glottic tumors having diffusely infiltrating margins, certainly need elective neck dissection (P < 0.05). According to the multivariant analysis, none of the factors significantly affect disease-free survival independently (P > 0.15). According to multiple logistic regression and cox regression analysis, in decreasing order of significance, the mode of invasion, microscopic tumor appearance and lymphocytic infiltration significantly affect the recurrence and time between surgery and the development of recurrence independently (P < 0.15).