Evolution of precancerous laryngeal lesions: A clinicopathologic study with long-term follow-up on 259 patients

Background. A wide spectrum of lesions ranging from dysplasia to in situ ca rcinoma have to be considered when dealing with laryngeal precancerous cond itions. Recently the concept of laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN) w as introduced. Methods. A series of 259 consecutive cases of laryngeal keratosis was studi ed from 1976 to 1994. All patients entered the study after microlaryngoscop y and biopsy. Histologic diagnoses were subdivided into keratosis without d ysplasia (KWD), with mild dysplasia (LIN 1), with moderate dysplasia (LIN 2 ), and with severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (LIN 3). The follow-up pe riod ranged from 15 months to 19 years (mean, 101 months). Results. KWD had the best prognosis with the lowest recurrence rate (12.5%) after stripping of laryngeal mucous membrane. The recurrence rate after st ripping was higher for LIN 1 (25%) and LIN 2 cases (68.7%). The recurrence rate after CO2 laser cordectomy was 16.6% for LIN 2 and 18.7% for LIN 3. Th e incidence of progression to infiltrative carcinoma was 4.19% for KWD, 7.1 4% for LIN 1, 21.42% for LIN 2, and 9.37% for LIN 3. Conclusions. KWD and LIN 1 can be successfully treated by stripping the muc ous membrane, close follow-up, and a change in smoking habits. On the contr ary, LIN 2 and LIN 3 need a more aggressive therapeutical approach. (C) 200 0 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.