Laryngeal carcinoma: stomal recurrences and distant metastases.

Stomal recurrence and distant metastases are two of the most serious complications occurring in the patient treated for carcinoma of the larynx. Their appearances are ominous prognostic signs for survival of the host and both are refractory to any form of effective management. To date, the stomal recurrence has defied a satisfactory pathogenetic explanation but neoplastic cell inculation of the laryngectomy wound and extension from paratracheal lymph nodes appear to be partial explanations. Uncontrolled local disease plays a significant, if not the major role in the genesis of distant metastases.