Limits to the practice of craniofacial oncology in Black Africa: the example of cancer of the larynx]

Cervico-facial carcinology is currently one of the major concerns of oto-rhino-laryngologists. The authors have chosen laryngeal cancers to determine the limits of the practice of such cervico-facial carcinology in the topics. Over a 10-year period, 61 patients with a suspected malignant laryngeal disease were examined at the E.N.T. Clinic of the University Hospital in Dakar. Histological confirmation was found in only 38 patients, and a curative treatment was undertaken with 27 patients. No significant differentiation could be found from the results as far as sex, age and histology were concerned. On the other hand, the TNM breakdown of our 36 carcinomas revealed that in 78% of the cases large tumours (T3, T4) were involved. In the vast majority of these cases (18/27), treatment was purely surgical, with a total laryngectomy in 90% of the cases. Pharyngostomas accounted for the majority of the early postoperative complications (6/14). Over 10 years of practice, 70% of our patients have died or have been lost from sight. These poor results are due to numerous factors, including late consultation, the lack of specialists and the insufficiency of technical facilities. To improve results, the authors recommended the setting-up of proper cancer institutes.