Head and neck cancer of aircrew personnel in aeronautical medical expertise

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Published Apr 1, 2011
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Vol. 89 No. 4 (2011): Issue Apr 2011

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Anissa Sethom
Samir Ben Salem
Imededdine Ben Dhia
Ali Mrabet
Amel Souissi
Ibtissem Dkhil
Faouzi Mehdi
Riadh Allani
Rim Bouattour
Touhami Khelifi
Chokri Ben Othmen
Nabil Guermazi
Mohamed Kamel Chebbi

Abstract

Background: ENT cancers due to their location and treatment encompass a number of physical symptoms related to swallowing and communication disorders.
Aim: To evaluate flight capacity of aircrew personnel with ENT
cancer and consequences on fitness and waiver criteria.
Cases report:
Case 1: A 52 years old smoker pilot whish present laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma staged T3M0N0 and treated by total laryngectomy with curative radio-therapy (70Gy). Metastasis occurred on lumgth and death heaped after acute respiratory failure.
Case 2: A 55 years old mechanic whish had rhinopharyngeal undifferentiated carcinoma staged T4N2M0 and treated with radiochemotherapy with favourable follow-up. Inability for flight was proclaimed because of severe psychological impact.
Case 3: Concerned a vesiculograpillary carcinoma of thyroid gland occurring in a 46 years old helicopter pilot. After total thyroidectomy and iodine treatment, the patient has obtained complete fitness to flight.
Conclusion: Fitness to flight can be controversed in ENT cancer occurs. Epidemio-clinical paraclinical, functionnel and operational criterias must be considered when wainer to be proclaimed.

Keywords:

Head and neck cancer, fitness, flight attendant, waiver

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