Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Larynx: VI. Histologic Grading in the Clinical Evaluation

The prognosis of epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx is fairly good when the tumour affects the glottis, poorer when it is located in the supraglottic or subglottic regions.In all three regions the decisive factor is the presence of regional lymph-node metastases, primary as well as secondary, while local recurrence or residual tumour is of less prognostic importance.Microscopic grading of the malignancy of laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas as a prognostic adjuvant to clinical evaluation has been discussed by MUSTAKALLIO (1946), MCGAVRAN (1961) and JACOBSSON (1973).The grading system introduced by JACOBSSON (glottic carcinoma) was slightly modified and used on a series of carcinoma of the lip (LUND et coll.1975 a) and of carcinoma of the tongue (LUND et coll.1975 b).It was found to give essential data supplementary to the clinical evaluation.A similar analysis of a series of laryngeal carcinoma is now presented and in addition some aspects on the biologic effect of irradiation are included.Material.The original series comprised 152 patients with carcinoma of the larynx treated during the period 1963 to 1968.Analyses of the clinical and biologic effect of irradiation in this series have previously been published (JBRGENSEN & SELL 1971, J0RGENSEN 1974, HJELM-HANSEN et coll.1975).In 23 cases microscopic material