Does vocal cord fixation preclude nonsurgical management of laryngeal cancer?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether vocal cord fixation precludes nonsurgical management of T3/T4 laryngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Between 1989 and 2005 patient records with T3/T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx with vocal cord fixation at presentation were reviewed. All were treated with a concomitant cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy protocol and were part of the institutional head and neck cancer chemoradiotherapy registry. Only patients with adequate pre- and post-treatment fiberoptic evaluations were included. Charts were reviewed for demographics and tumor characteristics; return of vocal cord function; local, regional, or distant recurrence after treatment; and need for salvage surgery. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes, and the log-rank test was used to compare those patients whose vocal cords remained fixed to those with recovery of function.


RESULTS
Twenty-three patients met the inclusion criteria, 19 males and 4 females. The median age was 59 years (range, 39-73). Fourteen patients had T3 and nine had T4 tumors. Twelve patients recovered full range of mobility, three had partial recovery, and eight did not recover motion. The median follow-up was 68 months (range, 34-191). Comparing patients with post-treatment partial or fully mobile cords to those with persistent fixation revealed the following: A projected five-year overall survival of 100% versus 25%, (P < .001), freedom from recurrence of 86.7 versus 25% (P < .001), local control without surgery of 86.7% versus 30% (P = .003), and survival with functional larynx of 86.7% versus 25% (P = .008), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonsurgical therapy in patients with pretreatment vocal cord fixation is feasible. However, persistence of vocal cord fixation after definitive chemoradiotherapy is a poor prognostic sign and early surgical intervention should be considered. Laryngoscope, 2009.
Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Ohio, USA.
C Arturo
CA
Solares
Benjamin
B
Wood
Cristina P
CP
Rodriguez
Robert R
RR
Lorenz
Joseph
J
Scharpf
Jerrold
J
Saxton
Lisa A
LA
Rybicki
Marshall
M
Strome
Ramon
R
Esclamado
Pierre
P
Lavertu
David J
DJ
Adelstein
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology
D002945:Cisplatin