title: Role of endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) versus radiotherapy in the management of early (T1) glottic cancer: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment options for early glottic cancer include transoral microsurgery or radiotherapy (RT). There is continuing debate about which is the superior treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature was searched from 1996 to 2011 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. A quality assessment of each included study was conducted and reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no evidence in favor of 1 treatment modality when considering likelihood of local control or overall survival. There is a suggestion that RT may be associated with less measureable perturbation of voice as compared to surgery, but no significant differences were seen in patient perception. The likelihood of laryngeal preservation may be higher when surgery can be offered as initial treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For patients with early (T1) glottic cancer, treatment options include the equally effective endolaryngeal surgery, with or without laser, or radiation therapy. The choice between treatment modalities should be based on patient and clinician preferences and general medical condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lacchetti
authors.forename: J Alex
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008866:Microsurgery
keywords: T1; endolaryngeal; glottic; radiotherapy; surgery