PubMed1990
At the present time, cervico-facial oncology is one of the great themes of oto-rhino-laryngologists. Cancer of the larynx has been chosen by the authors to demonstrate the limits in the practice of cervico-facial oncology in the tropics. Over a period of 10 years, 61 patients with suspected malignant larynx afflictions were examined at Dakar U.H.C.O.R.L. clinic. Histological confirmation concerned 38 patients, and 27 underwent treatment aimed at curing them. As far as results are concerned, there seem to be no particularities connected with sex, age or histology. TNM distribution within the 36 carcinomas, however, shows 78% of these cases to be large volume tumours (T3-T4). In the great majority of cases (18/27) treatment undertaken was purely surgical, represented by complete laryngectomy in 90% of the cases. Early, post-operational complications were dominated by pharyngostomy (6/14). After 10 years practice, 70% of these patients have died or have ceased to consult. The bad results are due to a number of factors including delay in consultation, too few specialists, too little equipment.... To remedy this, the authors suggest the creation of real cancer institutes.