OBJECTIVES: The malignant neoplasm of the larynx has special importance because of its significant effects on voice, swallowing and quality of life. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of malignant neoplasm of larynx.

METHODS: Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100.000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with malignant neoplasm of larynx were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10^th revision: C32.

RESULTS: The highest national patient numbers were in outpatient care: 3,408 men and 708 women in total 4,116 patients, followed by general practice care (2,865 men and 746 women, in total 3,611), and case numbers associated with the utilisation of pharmaceuticals (1,630 men, 447 women, in total 2,077). Based on patient numbers in acute inpatient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 24.3 patients, among women 3.6 patients, in total 13.5 patients. As regards sex distribution in outpatient care 82.8% of patients were men and 17.2% were women, while in the case of acute inpatient care utilisation 86% were men and 14% were women.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of malignant neoplasm of larynx was found to be 6.7 times higher among men than among women. Men are more likely to develop this cancer, possibly because smoking and heavy alcohol consumption happen more among men.