title: Quality of life and voice in patients after laser cordectomy for Tis and T1 glottic carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laser cordectomy is gaining popularity for treatment of early glottic carcinoma, but little is known about vocal and quality of life (QOL) outcomes as a function of extent of resection. We prospectively examined QOL and vocal function of patients with carcinoma in situ (Tis) or T1 glottic carcinomas after laser cordectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 75) were grouped into those who underwent unilateral subepithelial or subligamental resection (group A, n = 45); those who underwent unilateral transmuscular or total cordectomy (group B, n = 17); and those who underwent extended or bilateral cordectomy including the anterior commissure (group C, n = 19). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer head and neck cancer specific module (QLQ-H&N35), voice handicap index (VHI), and objective vocal function were examined before and 1 year after cordectomy and compared among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No major complications were encountered, but local recurrence occurred in 10 patients, with group C showing the highest rate (6/19, 31.6%). Patient-reported speech and social contact scores of QOL questionnaire and VHI scores after surgery were higher in groups B and C than in group A (p < .05). The scores and perceptual and acoustic data were generally improved in all groups after surgery, but were statistically significant only in group A (p < .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that early glottic cancers with a limited extent and infiltration depth have improved outcomes, both oncologically and functionally, compared to those lesions requiring extensive laser resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. rohjl@amc.seoul.kr
authors.forename: Jong-Lyel
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Dong-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chan Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality