Radiation treatment of T1-T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: a retrospective analysis and long-term follow-up of 135 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term outcome of radiation therapy for patients with histologically verified squamous cell glottic carcinoma.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed on patients who had received radiation treatment at the Department of Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, between 1978 and 1987 Patients with a documented follow-up for at least five years, or to time of death, were studied. Radiation treatment was delivered utilising daily fractions of 1.8-20 over 6-7 weeks, totalling 60-70 Gy. Patients whose tumours were not controlled by radiation therapy, or whose tumours recurred, were offered surgical intervention.


RESULTS
The study included 135 patients. Five-year survival rates adjusted to death due to laryngeal carcinoma were: T1, 95%; T2, 87%; T3, 72% and T4, 25%.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary radiotherapy achieves a high rate of cure for T1-T2 laryngeal carcinoma. Tumour-related morbidity and death continued beyond the standard five-year follow-up, especially for patients with T1/T2 laryngeal carcinomas.
Bergqvist
Michael
M
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Brodin
Ola
O
Pouzon
Anki
A
Linder
Arne
A
Hesselius
Patrik
P
Blomquist
Erik
E
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome