Clinical Profile of the Patients Presenting with Laryngeal Carcinoma

Hamna Ehsan; Zubair Ahmed

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2228

Authors

Hamna Ehsan Department of ENT, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Zubair Ahmed Department of ENT, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2228

Keywords:

Laryngeal Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Hoarseness, Smoking, Dysphagia

Abstract

Laryngeal carcinoma is a common head and neck malignancy and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where delayed presentation is frequent. Local data describing the clinical profile of affected patients in Pakistan remains limited. Objective: To determine the demographic characteristics, tumor subsite distribution, stage at presentation, and major clinical features of patients presenting with laryngeal carcinoma at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of ENT at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, from 8 January to 8 April 2025. A total of 134 patients with biopsy-proven laryngeal carcinoma were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients of either gender and any age with histologically confirmed disease were included. Data on age, gender, smoking status, duration of symptoms, family history, tumor site, cancer stage, and presenting clinical features were recorded on a structured proforma. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Quantitative variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation, while qualitative variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was applied after stratification, and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 57.8 ± 11.6 years, and 86.6% were male. Smoking was reported in 75.4% of patients. Glottic tumors were the most frequent subtype (39.6%), followed by supraglottic (30.6%), transglottic (19.4%), and subglottic tumors (10.4%). Most patients presented with advanced-stage disease, with stage III and IV accounting for 64.9% of cases. Hoarseness was the most common presenting symptom (88.1%), followed by dysphagia (56.7%) and dyspnea (36.6%). Smoking was significantly associated with advanced-stage disease (p=0.018), and tumor subsite was significantly associated with stage at presentation (p<0.001). Conclusion: Laryngeal carcinoma in this setting predominantly affected middle-aged male smokers and commonly presented at an advanced stage. Hoarseness was the leading presenting complaint, while smoking and non-glottic tumor sites were associated with later-stage disease. Early recognition and timely referral may improve outcomes.

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