Abstract
Introduction. In surgery of large oropharyngeal tumours it is necessary in some cases to include the larynx or its part.
The aim of the paper is to reveal the oncological results in these tumours and the influence of such operations on the quality of life and to determine whether these operations are of benefit to the patient. Group of patients.
In the period 1994 - 1999 254 patients were treated by surgery for oropharyngeal carcinoma. In nine cases the larynx was included together with oropharynx in the resection.
Results. Healing was complicated in 4 cases, one patient died during the postoperative period of carotic haemorrhage.
From six patients treated more than five years ago 50% survive. Five patients of nine survive.
Two of them complain of dysphagia, which in consistent with the whole group of patients surgically treated for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Conclusions.
With regard to our results we conclude that surgery together with postoperative radiation is the most effective treatment also in the group of patients with oropharyngeal tumours spreading to the larynx. The survival in this sub-group is probably not worse than in patients with a similar sized tumour but without extension to the larynx.
The quality of life of patients with oropharyngeal surgery and partial laryngeal surgery is not worse compared to patients with surgery limited to the oropharynx.