Characterization of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with premalignant or early carcinomas of the larynx

BACKGROUND. An association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and laryngeal carcinoma has been suggested, but remains unproven. The current pilot study was performed to determine the incidence of LPR among patients with early laryngeal carcinomas or dysplasia and to examine the associations between levels of LPR and histologic stage, smoking status, the symptom of heartburn, and body position during reflux episodes. METHODS. Behavioral and 24 hour pH monitoring data were prospectively acquired and analyzed for 40 previously untreated adults with dysplasia, Tlor T2 laryngeal carcinomas. RESULTS. Eighty-five percent of patients had LPR. No significant association was shown between the level of LPR and histologic stage or smoking status. Heartburn did not predict LPR. The incidence of LPR in the upright body position was 91%, compared with 9% in the supine position, among patients with LPR. CONCLUSIONS. When compared to available normative data, the current findings show a high incidence of LPR in patients with premalignant and early laryngeal cancer. These findings highlight the need for a matched-control study evaluating LPR as a potential predisposing factor for laryngeal carcinoma.