title: Transoral laser resection or radiotherapy? Patient choice in the treatment of early laryngeal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The choices made by patients offered treatment for early laryngeal cancer with radiotherapy or transoral laser resection were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective review was conducted of all patients diagnosed and treated for early laryngeal carcinoma from December 2002 to September 2009 at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. A total of 209 patients with tumour stage T1 or T2 laryngeal cancer were treated; each new patient suitable for radiotherapy or transoral laser resection was seen jointly by the clinical (radiation) oncologist and head and neck surgeon, and offered the choice of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients, 47.4 per cent were given a choice between radiotherapy and transoral laser resection; 51.2 per cent were advised to have radiotherapy, and there were no records for the remaining 1.4 per cent. From those given the choice, 59.6 per cent chose transoral laser resection (p < 0.02 (t-test)) and 35.4 per cent chose radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When given the choice, a statistically significant majority of patients choose transoral laser resection rather than radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,Leeds General Infirmary,UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zahoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,Leeds General Infirmary,UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,Leeds General Infirmary,UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery,Leeds General Infirmary,UK.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Makura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Frozen Sections; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Lasers; Outcomes Assessment; Prospective Studies; Radiotherapy