Parathyroid and thyroid function five years after treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma

The proximity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands to the larynx and hypop harynx puts them at risk from treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of this region. Consequently parathyroid and thyroid function was evaluated i n patients surviving at least 5 years following treatment of primary SCC of the Larynx or hypopharynx. Twenty-eight patients, initially treated from 1 990 to 1992, were assessed and divided into four groups according to treatm ent received. Hypoparathyroidism (partial and hypocalcaemic) occurred in 88 % and hypothyroidism (clinical and subclinical) in 50% in Group 1 (radiothe rapy only). Group 2 (salvage laryngectomy for failed radiotherapy) had 66% hypoparathyroid and 33% hypothyroid. Group 3 (surgery + radiotherapy combin ed) had 89% hypoparathyroid and 89% hypothyroid. Group 4 (surgery only) had 63% hypoparathyroid and 63% hypothyroid. Significant endocrine hypofunctio n therefore occurs following the treatment of laryngopharyngeal carcinoma, more so with radiotherapy and combined therapy than with surgery alone.