Chemotherapy regimens and treatment protocols for laryngeal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Laryngeal cancer has been the model of curative-intent organ-preserving therapies in clinical oncology. Although the optimal care of patients with laryngeal cancer is truly multidisciplinary, with progressive advances in surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, the development of effective systemic therapies has been a major component of the therapeutic arsenal against laryngeal cancer.


METHODS
This review will discuss the rapidly evolving roles of chemotherapy in the management of locally advanced and metastatic laryngeal cancer.


RESULTS
The reader will gain a historical perspective on this evolution in treatment and will appreciate current treatment challenges and promising future directions in optimizing therapeutic efficacy in functional larynx preservation and in patient survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of most patients with laryngeal cancer with systemic therapy represents an opportunity to positively impact functional outcomes with an anatomically and functionally preserved larynx. Future challenges include identification of novel therapies and optimizing therapy protocols for individualized patient care.
Haigentz
Missak
M
University of Udine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Piazzale S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy.
Silver
Carl E
CE
Hartl
Dana M
DM
Takes
Robert P
RP
Rodrigo
Juan P
JP
Robbins
K Thomas
KT
Rinaldo
Alessandra
A
Ferlito
Alfio
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008495:Medical Oncology; D057089:Pathology, Molecular; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome