The Management of Premalignant Laryngeal Lesions

Background The incidence of laryngeal cancer is growing and the age of the patient at the moment of diagnosis is decreasing. On the other hand, laryngeal tumors are detected in advanced stages when the therapeutic measures are limited, and the long-term prognosis is poor. To improve the outcome of patients with laryngeal cancer early diagnosis of malignant and premalignant laryngeal lesions is mandatory. Material and method Presenting the management of premalignant laryngeal lesions using new examination technologies in vivo and in situ. These technologies are objectively evaluated and presented. Relevant clinical cases are shown to sustain the utility of the mentioned technologies for early diagnosis of premalignant tumors of the larynx. Results and Conclusion Endoscopic examination is the key to early diagnosis in laryngeal pathology. The association between white light endoscopy and technologies like NBI (narrow band imaging), SPIES filters and different in vivo staining methods improve the detection of malignancies and allow early diagnosis and treatment of premalignant and malignant laryngeal tumors. An efficient management of the premalignant lesions of the larynx can lower the incidence of laryngeal cancer and improve the therapeutic outcomes in this group of patients.