Radiotherapy for T1 and T2 laryngeal cancer: the Dalhousie University experience.
OBJECTIVE
To report outcomes of definitive radiotherapy for early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.


METHODS
Retrospective outcome analysis.


METHODS
Tertiary referral centre.


METHODS
A total of 373 cases of laryngeal cancer reported in Nova Scotia from 1990 through 2001 were reviewed. All cases were classified by T stage (T1 = 137, T2 = 90, T3 = 89, T4 = 57) and affected sites (glottic = 233, supraglottic = 136, subglottic = 4). We focused on those patients with T1 and T2 cancers of both the glottis and the supraglottis who received radiotherapy as a primary modality.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent (150 of 170) of T1/T2 glottic cancers were first treated with radiotherapy. Seventy-one percent (80 of 112) and 63.3% (24 of 38) of T1 and T2 glottic cancers, respectively, were controlled by radiation, with an average follow-up of 37 months. Of those T1 glottic cancers unsuccessfully treated by radiotherapy, 14 underwent surgical salvage, with 9 of these patients being free of disease following an average of 57 months. For T2 glottic cancers unsuccessfully treated by radiotherapy, five patients underwent surgical salvage, of whom four (68.4%) were free of disease after an average follow-up of 62 months. Seventy-five percent of T1 (3 of 4) and 70.6% (25 of 35) of T2 supraglottic cancers were successfully controlled by radiotherapy. Salvage surgery was attempted in five patients; however, all patients except one died of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Although radiotherapy is a standard treatment for early laryngeal cancers, the results of this review may suggest considering other modalities in the treatment of early laryngeal cancer.
Hafidh
Maky
M
Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Tibbo
Jamie
J
Trites
Jonathan
J
Corsten
Gerard
G
Hart
Robert D
RD
Nasser
Joe
J
Wilke
Derek
D
Mark Taylor
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016879:Salvage Therapy