Upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas from diagnosis to treatment

Introduction: To assess the incidence and therapeutic alternatives for upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas in ENT Department Timisoara. Methods: Our study included 219 patients (11.08%) out of 1976 patients admitted in ENT Department from 01.01.2012 to 01.03.2013. The mean age was 59 years (43-79). The patients were assessed regarding onset signs and symptoms, histopathological exam, were staged and the therapeutic options were followed. Results: Out of 219 patients 121 (55.25%) presented the tumour localized in the larynx, 21 patients (9.58%) – hypopharyngeal carcinoma, 16 patients (7.3%) – metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary, 14 patients (6.39%) – oropharyngeal carcinoma (palatine tonsils and soft palate) and 7 patients (3.19%) (base of tongue carcinoma), 13 patients (5.93%) – rhinopharyngeal carcinoma, 10 patients (4.56%) – pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma, 8 patients (3.65%) – naso-sinusal carcinomas, 6 patients (2.73%) – auricular carcinoma, 1 patient (0.45%) with upper labial carcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma and thyroid cancer. The therapeutic options included: surgical treatment performed in 57 patients (26.02%), radio-chemotherapy in 83 patients (37.89%), surgical treatment followed by radio-chemotherapy in 66 patients (30.13%), palliative therapy in 4 patients (1.82%), while 9 patients (4.1%) refused any treatment modality. Conclusion: The incidence of upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas is as high as 11.08% of ENT Department admitted patients. The therapeutic options are variable (surgical treatment, radio-chemotherapy, surgery followed by radio-chemotherapy, palliative therapy). Unterstutzt durch: Travelling Grant Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an.