Prognostic factors for supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma: Importance of the unfit patient.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to define prognostic factors for supraglottic laryngeal cancer that may influence management.


METHODS
This ethics-approved study captured information on patients who presented with supraglottic laryngeal cancer between 1967 and 2008. Endpoints were local/ultimate failure and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Analysis was performed using chi-square, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to describe time-to-event data.


RESULTS
Three hundred sixty-nine patients were analyzed. Two hundred seventeen patients received radiotherapy, 30 were treated with surgery, and 122 were treated with radiotherapy and surgery. The 5-year ultimate local control and CSS rates were 79.5% and 62.8%. Treatment type was a univariate predictor for outcome; however, it was not an independent predictor for ultimate local control or CSS.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the fact that by documenting information it is possible to define prognostic factors. It also shows the importance of adjusting for clinical predictors such as patients being unfit for surgery.
Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, Level 2, High St, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Robert I
RI
Smee
Katie J
KJ
De-loyde
Kathryn
K
Broadley
Janet R
JR
Williams
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome