Primary cancer of the larynx associated with primary lung cancer. Report of 21 cases, 14 with autopsy findings and 7 biopsies.

The present paper reports 21 cases (14 autopsies and 7 biopsies) of associated primary cancers of the larynx and the lung. This association is by no means uncommon, the laryngeal lesion being usually the first to appear. Mulitple primary cancers--of the same or of a different histologic type--tend to occur in the same organ or organ system, either simultaneously or after a time interval. In case of synchronous primary malignant tumour of the larynx and lung the most lethal cancer (the lung cancer) must be managed first. Cancer patients are more likely than other individuals to develop a second primary malignant tumour. Laryngectomized patients should be followed-up possibly by means of cytologic examinations of bronchial secretions and chest X-rays at short intervals for early detection of a possible second primary malignant pulmonary lesion.