Laryngeal radiation after hemilaryngectomy.
Laryngeal radiation was administered to 30 patients after hemilaryngectomy for true vocal cord carcinoma at Washington University Medical Center during the years 1957-1976. Twelve patients were irradiated at the time of gross recurrence and 5/12 (42%) of these patients had recurrence of their disease after radiation. Eighteen patients were irradiated immediately after hemilaryngectomy because positive margins were seen in the hemilaryngectomy specimen and 5/18 (28%) of these had recurrence. All but 1 recurrence occurred within 13 months following radiation. Total laryngectomy salvaged an additional 3 patients for ultimate cancer control in 23/30 (77%). This high dose laryngeal irradiation was well tolerated. A major complication occurred in 1 patient (3%) and consisted of permanent laryngeal edema necessitating tracheostomy but permitting useful speech. Mild complications occurred in 5 patients.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007830:Larynx / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013997:Time Factors; D014827:Vocal Cords