[The role of helicobacter pylori infection in carcinoma of the larynx].

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori causes different chronic infections that has been linked to the development of malignant disease of the aerodigestive tract. The larynx as a part of upper aerodigestive tract could be infected with this bacteria, mostly by gastroesophageal reflux.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In our study rapid urease tests were performed on the tissue samples of 80 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 34 control with benign laryngeal pathology.

RESULTS

In the evaluation of 80 specimens with laryngeal cancer in 62.5% we recorded a positive urease test reaction pointing for coexisting Helicobacter pylori infection and in 37.8% of cases the negative reaction. In the control group a positive reaction was in 47.3% of cases and negative in 52.7% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammation inducted by Helicobacter pylori would cause epithelial cell proliferation and could follow to development of laryngeal cancer. Thus, laryngeal tissue can be colonized by some other agents containing a urease enzyme other than Helicobacter pylori an additional tests may be performed. In our future investigation we are trying to estimate the Helicobacter pylori infection in pathologic tissue using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).