The interarytenoid fold of the larynx : is it immune to cancer ?

Abstract EN

Introduction: The posterior commissure (PC), or interarytenoid fold of the larynx (IAFL), is an uncommon site for glottic carcinoma.

The aim of this study is to confirm the absolute rarity of the IAFL’s involvement with malignancy.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study which included data from 437 laryngectomies were studied.

The data were collected from the medical records of 394 patients with cancer larynx, aged 42–83 years in the time period from 2013 till 2017.

Results: The larynges of 385 males and 9 females were studied.

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The most common presenting symptoms were voice change and difficulty breathing.

In all cases, there was no posterior interarytenoid involvement even from extensive lesions.

Conclusion: Involvement of the posterior commissure, or IAFL, is almost absent in cancer of the larynx compared to other laryngeal sites.

This observation warrants further study to delineate the structural difference between the IAFL and other laryngeal sub sites.