Surgical management of irradiation failures in T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to analyse the results of salvage surgery after failure of irradiation to control the primary T1-T2 glottic cancer.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients with T1 and T2 squamous cell cancer of the glottic larynx were treated with curative intent by radiotherapy. The tumour recurred in 22 of the 98 (22%) patients. Surgical management consisted of total and frontolateral laryngectomy. Survival rates were calculated from the date of the salvage operation.


RESULTS
Two of the 22 patients refused to undergo salvage surgery and one patient had pulmonary metastasis. Of the 19 patients who underwent salvage surgery, 14 (74%) had total laryngectomy and 5 (26%) had frontolateral laryngectomy. The operations were curative in 15 (79%) of the 19 patients. The overall 5-year survival rate after surgery was 78%.


CONCLUSIONS
Stringent follow-up of patients with irradiated T1 and T2 glottic laryngeal cancer is essential to permit a successful salvage.
Virtaniemi
J A
JA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Hirvikoski
P P
PP
Kumpulainen
E J
EJ
Johansson
R T
RT
Kosma
V M
VM
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D017211:Treatment Failure