Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2011 Jun;4(2):101-104.

The Role of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux as a Risk Factor in Laryngeal Cancer: A Preliminary Report

• Tae K
• Jin BJ
• Ji YB
• Jeong JH
• Cho SH
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the significance of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) as a risk factor in laryngeal cancer.
METHODS
We performed a case-control study with 29 consecutive laryngeal cancer patients who had undergone 24-hour ambulatory double pH monitoring from 2003 to 2006. The control group included 300 patients who had undergone 24-hour ambulatory double pH monitoring due to LPR-related symptoms. We analyzed the prevalence of LPR and numerous parameters from the 24-hour ambulatory double pH monitoring in the laryngeal cancer patient and control groups. Pathologic LPR is defined when more than three episodes of LPR occur in 24 hours.
RESULTS
The prevalence of pathologic LPR was significantly higher in the laryngeal cancer group than the control group (P=0.049). The reflux number of the upper probe was significantly higher in the laryngeal cancer group (P<0.001). However the effects of pathologic LPR on laryngeal cancer risk were diluted after adjusting for smoking and alcohol consumption in the multivariable logistic regression.
CONCLUSION
The pathologic LPR might be a possible risk factor in the development of laryngeal cancer. A further study should be necessary to verify the exact role of LPR in laryngeal cancer.

Keyword

Regurgitation; Gastroesophageal reflux; 24-hour double pH monitoring; Laryngeal neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
Case-Control Studies
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke

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