Pediatric laryngeal tumors and demographics, management, and survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence and features of pediatric laryngeal malignancies and to review the demographics, management, and survival of pediatric patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma as compared to adult patients. MethodsPatients aged 0 (younger than 1) to 18 with laryngeal malignancy identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were included from 1973 to 2016 published April 2019. Diagnosis of malignant laryngeal tumor was made using the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICDO-3) code: C32.0 Glottis, C32.1 Supraglottis, C32.2Subglottis, andC32.9 Larynx primary site. Results23 cases of pediatric laryngeal malignancies were identified. 16 cases were squamous cell carcinomas and 7 were other histologic types. Pediatric laryngeal SCC tended to be diagnosed in adolescence (mean age 14.8 years, range younger than 1 to 18, 82.6% of cases were age 12 and above). Management of laryngeal SCC included no recorded treatment (18.8%), primary radiation (18.8%), primary surgery (12.5%), radiation and surgery (25%), radiation and chemotherapy combined (18.8%), and surgery with radiation and chemotherapy (12.5%). Surgeries were local excision, excision and lymphnode dissection, as well as total laryngectomy, and not otherwise specified. The 2-year and 5-year overall and disease-specific survivals were 78.6%. ConclusionsPediatric laryngeal cancer is rare. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed malignant laryngeal histology affecting pediatric patients. Despite different risk factors, survival rates remain similar for pediatric patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma as compared to adults. Physicians should include laryngeal cancer in the differential for pediatric patients with hoarseness, dysphagia, and progressive airway obstruction to avoid a late diagnosis.