Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy: a partial laryngeal procedure for selected supraglottic and transglottic carcinomas

The partial horizontal supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy consists of resection of the whole thyroid cartilage and paraglottic space, as well as the epiglottis and the whole pre-epiglottic space. The cricoid cartilage, the hyoid bone, and at least one arytenoid cartilage are spared. Sixty-eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottis who underwent this procedure during the period from 1974 through 1986 are presented. Conventional horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy was contraindicated in all cases. All but three patients (95.4%) recovered physiologic deglutition, and none required a permanent tracheostomy. The 3-year actuarial survival rate was 71.4%. No local recurrences were encountered. The indications for the procedure are carcinomas of the supraglottis that 1. involve the glottis and anterior commissure, 2. invade the ventricle, 3. present with a marked limitation of true vocal cord mobility (transglottic lesions), and 4. invade the thyroid cartilage. The procedure is presented as a useful alternative to radiation therapy, horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy, and total laryngectomy in select cases of supraglottic carcinoma.     

Oncological outcomes of surgical treatment for T3 supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Abstract

Background: T3 supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (LC) is a common advanced laryngeal cancer.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the clinical results of pathological T3 (pT3) supraglottic LC patients who were amenable to laryngectomy treated with primary surgery and postoperative therapy.

Methods: Retrospective review of 202 pT3 cases of supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Results: The five-year cancer specific survival (CSS) rate was 63.7% and the overall survival rate (OS) was 62.8%. For T3 supraglottic patients who underwent total laryngectomy, the five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 51.8%, and the CSS was 62.5%. For patients who underwent partial laryngectomy, the five-year DFS was 72.2%, and the CSS was 79.0%. High lymph node and stage status are predictors of mortality for these patients. No difference was found in the DFS and CSS rates between patients with negative margins and those with positive margins following postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Surgical treatment of T3 supraglottic LC patients achieved satisfactory results. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy are an effective method of treatment for T3 supraglottic LC patients, especially for those with a positive margin.     

Stage II glottic carcinoma: prognostic factors and management

Three hundred thirty-six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center from 1960 through 1977 were reviewed. Seventy patients with T2N0M0 disease, grouped according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 1978, form the basis of this report. The 5-year actuarial survivals, recurrences, salvages, and prognostic factors were examined. Treatment was radiation, surgery, or a combination of radiation and surgery. Impaired vocal cord mobility in Stage II glottic squamous cell carcinoma is the crucial significant prognostic factor in predicting response to therapy, survival, and response to salvage therapy for recurrences. The 90% 5-year recurrence-free rate with freely mobile cords is comparable to that achieved with Stage I lesions. Impaired mobility resulted in a 5-year recurrence-free rate of 73%, which is comparable to that of T3N0 lesions. We support the concept of reclassifying Stage II disease into Stage IIa (mobile cords) and Stage IIb (impaired mobility). Based on this review and those reported in the literature, we recommend radiation therapy for Stage IIa disease. Surgery results in fewer recurrences and in longer survival than irradiation when the vocal cords are not freely mobile (Stage IIb).     

Results of treatment of 584 laryngeal cancers at the Ear-Nose-Throat Clinic of Marburg University

The results in the management of 460 vocal cord carcinomas and 124 supraglottic carcinomas are reported. Of the vocal cord carcinomas, 63.3% were diagnosed in the early Tis and T1 stage. Seventy-six tumors were resected endoscopically, 128 by laryngofissure and chordectomy. Not one of these patients has lost his life, larynx or voice. In bilateral tumors of the T1b category, 2 patients developed local recurrences and lost their larynx. Sixty-two carcinomas of the Tis, T1a and T1b categories were irradiated primarily. Two of these patients died and 14 underwent laryngectomy for local recurrence. In T2 carcinomas a 5-year cure rate of 87.5% was achieved by vertical partial resection. The 5-year cure rate after laryngectomy or laryngectomy with neck dissection for T2N0 and T2N+ carcinoma was 86.2% and 75.0% respectively. Most treatment failures were due to late metastases which could not be controlled. In T3 carcinomas with a 5-year cure rate of 71.4% (N0) and 70.0% (N+) respectively, treatment failures were also mainly seen in patients with N0 necks where we did not carry out a prophylactic neck dissection. Five-year survival rates for primary surgery in supraglottic T1-T4 carcinomas were 100%, 82.4%, 84% and 58.3%. The widely hel opinion that laryngeal carcinoma should only be subjected to surgery for irradiation failure can no longer be sustained. More patients lose their larynx or their life after irradiation of small carcinomas than after primary surgery. Furthermore, too many patients have to undergo two major cancer treatments (irradiation and salvage surgery). In larger carcinomas radiotherapy produces a lower survival rate and too many patients require two stressful cancer therapies. The number of retained larynges is not substantially higher than with primary surgery. Primary irradiation for selected cases should be part of every therapy concept that aims at an adequate and individual treatment of every patient.     

Early vocal cord carcinoma in obese patients: A surgical lesion

Early epidermoid carcinoma of the vocal cord is treated successfully by radiation therapy with high 5-year survival rates, low morbidity, and preservation of excellent voice quality in most cases. Typically, surgery is reserved for salvage of radiation failure and provides overall 5-year survival rates of 98% and 90% for T1 and T2 lesions, respectively. The extremely obese patient, often with a short neck and excessive amounts of subcutaneous fat, is difficult for both radiotherapist and surgeon to diagnose and treat. The recent observation of an unusually high rate of radiotherapy failure in a cluster of obese patients with early vocal cord cancer called attention to this problem. Because the larynx is near the thoracic inlet in obese patients, they are not suitable for administration of radiotherapy by accurate opposed lateral portals. The patients reported herein were treated entirely with anterior oblique portals. Of the five obese patients who underwent primary radiation therapy for early vocal cord cancer, three developed recurrent disease (60%) and a fourth developed a severe perichondritis requiring tracheostomy. Two patients with recurrent disease were successfully salvaged with total laryngectomy, while the third patient refused surgery and died 2 years later. The sixth patient was treated by partial laryngectomy with imbrication reconstruction and is alive and without evidence of disease 2 years following surgery. Recurrence rates and complication rates following primary radiation therapy for early vocal cord cancer appear to be unacceptably high in obese patients treated with anterior oblique portals. Therefore, we recommend primary conservation laryngeal surgery for obese patients with early vocal cancer who cannot undergo “standard” radiotherapeutic techniques.     

Transoral CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser management for selected supraglottic tumors and neck dissection

This study aimed to evaluate transoral laser resection as a method of choice for conservation surgery for supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma in carefully selected patients. Between 1987 and 2006, 55 patients with early supraglottic carcinoma were selected for transoral laser surgery. The outcome of the endoscopic CO₂ laser resection and larynx-sparing functional results without tracheotomy was evaluated. Fifty-five patients with T1, T2 supraglottic carcinomas underwent transoral CO₂ laser resection and seven patients with manifest neck metastasis required a neck dissection at one session with additional postoperative radiation therapy. There was no need for tracheotomy; deglutition was moderately disturbed. Forty of the 55 (73%) patients had no signs of recurrence to date. Fifteen patients with local recurrences underwent salvage therapies: six repeated laser excisions, three radiotherapies, four supraglottic laryngectomies and two total laryngectomies. Laser-specific survival is 84% and larynx preservation is 96%. The overall 5-year-survival after salvage treatment is 98%. Development of late metastasis required five radical neck dissections (RND) and radiation therapy. The results indicated that transoral laser resection can control early supraglottic cancer in selected patients and can be combined with simultaneous neck dissection with less morbidity than “open surgery”.     

Radiotherapy with 6-megavolt photons for early glottic carcinoma: potential impact of extension to the posterior vocal cord

PURPOSE: Radiation therapy has a high success rate in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma. Excellent outcomes have been reported from centers using cobalt-60 or relatively low-energy (< or = 4 MV) radiation therapy to achieve these results. Whether similar outcomes can be achieved with a 6 MV linear accelerator has been less rigorously evaluated. This study assesses the efficacy of 6 MV radiation therapy for early stage glottic cancer and identifies prognostic factors for local control and overall survival in this common disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight consecutive cases of Tis, T1, and T2 squamous cell carcinomas of the glottis from 1982 to 1996 were retrospectively analyzed with regard to local control and survival. All patients were treated with definitive radiation therapy with a 6-MV linear accelerator. Potential prognostic factors for local control and survival were evaluated with univariate and multivariate models. Median follow-up of locally controlled patients was 65 months. RESULTS: The overall 3-year actuarial local control rates for T1 and T2 carcinomas were 86% and 68%, respectively. Patients with lesions involving the posterior third of the vocal cord had significantly worse 3-year local control (76% vs. 86%, P =.038). Radiation therapy technique and overall treatment time did not significantly affect local control. For patients with Tis and T1 lesions, factors associated with significantly worse local control included cordectomy-ineligible disease (P =.024), dose less than 6,600 cGy (P =.024), and lesions limited to the posterior third of the vocal cord (P =.004). Three-year local control was 76%, with doses less than 6,600 cGy and 90% with higher doses. High rates of second primary malignancies were observed and represented the major cause of death. Five-year overall survival was 84%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 6-MV photons for treatment of early glottic cancer seems to achieve local control similar to that reported with lower-energy photons. However, patients with posterior third involvement had a poorer local control rate with standard radiation therapy, thereby suggesting that alternative approaches be considered.     

1115例喉癌患者的生存分析

目的 了解20世纪80～90年代外科治疗喉癌的远期效果，并且探讨影响预后的因素。方法 应用回顾性调查的方法，对1983～1996年间中国医科大学第一附属医院耳鼻咽喉科1115例喉癌患者进行分析，统计患者的生存率和死亡原因。结果 生存5年以上者780例，死亡260例，失访75例，累积生存率曲线统计5年生存率为77％，其中Ⅰ期为94％、Ⅱ期为89％、Ⅲ期为82％、Ⅳ期为66％。不同分型的5年生存率由高到低的顺序是声门型、声门上型、声门下型、跨声门型。喉部分切除术患者的5年生存率为85％，而喉全切除术患者的5年生存率为68％。患者5年内死亡的主要原因是局部复发和转移(70％)，另有14％的死亡者没有弄清他们的死亡原因。结论 近20年我国喉癌治疗水平得到明显提高，早期诊断是提高喉功能保留手术比例和提高生存率的关键，患者5年内死亡的原因主要是局部复发和转移。     

Histopathological studies on glottic cancer by serial sections

In 31 glottic cancer specimens from partial laryngectomy, the histopathological findings were compared with vocal cord motility and 5-year survival rate. Among the 31 cases, 7 had ventricular involvements, in which 3 were transglottic tumors; 2 had had their framework destroyed. Eight cases had anterior commissure involvement. Only one had the tendon affected. Of 20 cases with mobile cords, the lesions were entirely superficial to the conus elasticus. Only a few specimens showed minimal invasions of the arytenoid region. Of 8 cases with limited vocal cord motility, invasion of the thyroarytenoid muscle was quite apparent, 4 specimens had the arytenoid areas surrounded by nests of tumor cells, and one case had local recurrence 12 months after operation. There were 3 cases with vocal cord fixation, 2 with subglottic extensions showed cricoid cartilage involvement and had had recurrences 10 and 12 months after operation. Another one with transglottic lesion was controlled by middle portion subtotal laryngectomy. Nine cases had subglottic involvement. One with transglottic lesion had recurrence, the other with arytenoid invasion had local recurrence. In two more recurrent cases, tumors cells spreaded submucosally toward the infraglottic area.     

Planned preoperative radiation therapy vs. definitive radiotherapy for advanced laryngeal carcinoma

In the period 1970-1980 inclusive, 191 patients with T3T4 laryngeal carcinoma (glottic: 63 and supraglottic: 128) received either definitive radiation therapy (RT) (60-65 Gy in 6-7 weeks) or planned preoperative radiation therapy (25 Gy in 5 equal daily fractions of 5 Gy) followed by laryngectomy with or without neck dissection (RT + S). Selection for RT vs. RT + S was based on medical operability and/or patient's refusal to undergo surgery. All patients are evaluable with minimum of 2 years observation. Crude 5 and 10-year survival probability for 32 patients with glottic localization who received RT is 55% and 38% vs. 65% and 65% respectively for 31 treated with RT + S. For 52 patients with supraglottic site who received RT, the 5 and 10-year survival is 44% and 44% vs. 82% and 60% for 76 patients treated with RT + S.     

喉癌术前放射治疗及单纯手术疗效比较

目的 探讨喉癌术前放射治疗加手术的治疗方式能否比单纯手术提高治愈率。方法 应用前瞻性的随机分组的方法进行临床试验。初治的喉癌病例（不包括声门型Ｔ１病变），年龄在７５岁以下，不伴有喉梗阻，经过临床检查确定解剖分型、ＴＮＭ分期（１９７８ＵＩＣＣ）及手术类型后，通过抽签的方法将患者分入单纯手术组（ＳＡ组）或综合治疗组（ＲＳ组）进行治疗。结果 共完成治疗３７０例，ＳＡ组２１５例，ＲＳ组１５５例，ＳＡ组３年     

Preoperative tracheotomy in the treatment of upper airway obstruction of patients with advanced stage supraglottic carcinoma

BackgroundPreoperative tracheotomy is an effective option that secures upper airway patency in laryngeal carcinoma patients suffering from upper airway obstruction, but the influence of this treatment on oncologic outcomes of laryngeal carcinoma remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of preoperative tracheotomy on overall survival in supraglottic carcinoma patients with tumor obstruction of the upper airway, and explore the potential causes.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study collected 243 consecutive patients with advanced stage supraglottic carcinoma from 2005 to 2010. Preoperative tracheotomy in the management of upper airway obstruction in patients with supraglottic carcinoma was analyzed.ResultsThe mean age was 60.9 years at diagnosis, with men accounting for 98.4% of all patients. Thirty nine (16.0%) patients presenting with tumor obstruction of the upper airway required preoperative tracheotomy. T4 stage patients had higher rate of tracheotomy than those of patients with T3 stage (36.8% vs 12.2%). Patients with upper airway obstruction presented with greater tumor area compared with patients without (13.7 cm² vs 9.0 cm²). The optimal cutoff value of tumor area for tracheotomy and OS rate were both at 10 cm². Supraglottic patients with upper airway obstruction receiving preoperative tracheotomy had poorer OS rate compared with patients without. T stage and tumor area were correlated with upper airway obstruction, and these two variables were independent predictors of OS rate in supraglottic carcinoma patients.ConclusionsAdvanced stage supraglottic carcinoma patients with upper airway obstruction undergoing preoperative tracheotomy experienced worse overall survival. Advanced T stage and greater tumor size were associated with upper airway obstruction, indicating that the negative influence of tumor obstruction on survival may be cause by these two preoperative variables. Therefore, preoperative tracheotomy acts only as an alternative procedure, and is not a prognostic agent.     

Does advanced age affect treatment of early glottic carcinoma?

AimsEarly glottic carcinoma is currently managed by radiation therapy or endoscopic surgery. Both are effective in elderly patients, but their respective indications are poorly determined. The present study assessed our management of very elderly patients with early glottic carcinoma.Material and methodsA retrospective single-center study included all patients aged 75 years and older at diagnosis, treated by radiation therapy or endoscopic surgery with curative intent for T1 or T2 glottic carcinoma between 2004 and 2018.ResultsRecords of 33 patients (27 men and 6 women; mean age, 82.2 years (range, 76.1-93.1 years)) were reviewed. 24 patients received radiation therapy and 9 endoscopic resection. The only factor for choice of treatment was anterior commissure involvement. Overall survival was 87% at 2 years and 62% at 5 years. 19% of patients relapsed within 5 years and had to undergo further treatment. There were no treatment-related deaths. Radiation therapy was associated with more acute local complications, with two temporary treatment interruptions and one uncompleted treatment. Surgical treatment was more likely to result in dysphonia, found in 80% of cases.ConclusionTreatment of early glottic cancer in elderly subjects can consist in either radiotherapy or endoscopic surgery. Age should not affect management. Surgical treatment is shorter and better tolerated, although with poorer vocal outcome, and may be preferred in the most comorbid patients.     

Return of vocal cord movement: an independent predictor of response to nonsurgical management of laryngeal cancers

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether return of vocal cord function after treatment of T2b/T3 laryngeal carcinoma is an independent prognostic factor for locoregional recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of patients treated with radiation +/- chemotherapy between 2000 and 2005 for T2 with vocal cord paresis and T3 laryngeal carcinoma was conducted. METHODS: Only those patients obtained from the tumor registry with pre-and posttreatment video stroboscopies were included. Patients' charts were reviewed for local and regional recurrence after treatment. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significant association between recurrence and possible risk factors. RESULTS: Fourteen patients met the inclusion criterion. Six patients had T2 lesions with vocal cord paresis, and eight patients had T3 lesions. Fifty percent of patients with T2 and 75% of patients with T3 lesions had return of vocal cord function after treatment. Five of 14 patients did not have return of vocal cord function, and of these, 100% had locoregional recurrence. Of the nine patients who had return of vocal cord movement, none of the patients had recurrence. The proportion of recurrence was significantly higher for those whose vocal function did not return compared with the patients whose vocal function returned (100% vs. 0%, P < .01). CONCLUSION: The immobile vocal cord is associated with a worse prognosis and is therefore factored into the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging for laryngeal tumors. We show that vocal cord immobility is an independent prognostic factor of recurrence even after treatment and can predict treatment failure in T2 and T3 lesions of the larynx.     

The management of laryngeal cancer.

Carcinoma of the larynx is best managed in an interdisciplinary centre with wide therapeutic and rehabilitative services. Current management is confused, but may be simplified by consideration of three groups: 1) no fixation of laryngeal structures, 2) fixation of laryngeal structures and extension beyond the larynx, 3) all others including carcinoma in situ, verrucous carcinoma, transglottic tumor, and squamous carcinoma with marked airway obstruction. The rational treatment of Group 1 glottic tumors is primary radiation, which produces 75% crude and 92% corrected five year tumor free survival. If surgery is undertaken as primary treatment or for salvage, a vertical hemilaryngectomy may preserve the voice. Group 1 supraglottic carcinomas may be divided into supraglottic and marginal. Thirty per cent have palpable nodes at diagnosis and a further 20% occult disease in the cervical chain. Irradiation of neck nodes or block dissection is an integral part of treatment. The indications for a supraglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy are outlined. Where indicated this has five year survival figures of 70%. Recurrence is usually in the neck. Marginal tumors have a 50% five year survival rate when treated by conservation surgery combined with pre-operative radiation. Recent radiotherapeutic advances have improved treatment of these lesions. Thirty to 40% of patients with Group 2 tumors have regional metastases at presentation. There are no fixed protocols for treatment of these patients, less than 50% of whom will survive five years tumor free. The difficulty in carrying out a protocol based on pre-operative radiation with planned surgery is outlined. Under optimum conditions treatment should be primary radiation with salvage surgery for failures or recurrence, for the results are almost as good as primary surgery but 30% of larynges are saved. The difficulties of diagnosing recurrent tumor in irradiated tissue are discussed. Care must be taken to recognize that group of patients in whom tissue edema is the result of perichondritis rather than tumor recurrence, because in these patients surgery is extremely hazardous. Problems of diagnosis and methods of treatment of carcinoma in situ, and verrucous carcinoma are described. Transglottic carcinomas are defined and treatment is primary total laryngectomy with appropriate neck dissection. Similarly if tumors are causing major airway obstruction, treatment is by primary laryngectomy.     

梨状窝癌的治疗和生存分析

目的探讨梨状窝癌治疗的疗效和影响预后因素。方法对浙江省肿瘤医院1995年12月至2002年12月收治的62例梨状窝癌手术治疗病例进行回顾性分析。其中T1期13例，1、2期17例，T3期12例，T4期20例。4例行术前放疗，40例行术后放疗，18例行单纯手术治疗。原发灶术式包括：13例梨状窝切除术；20例下咽部分切除及喉部分切除术；21例下咽部分切除及喉全切除术；8例下咽全切除、喉全切除及食管拔脱加胃代食管术。结果采用Kaplan—Meier法行生存分析，生存曲线显示总的3年、5年生存率分别为42．3％和27．8％，保留喉功能组和未保留喉功能组的3年生存率分别为51．9％和29．9％，5年生存率分别为39．5％和11．2％，两组差异有统计学意义（x^2=4．14，P〈0．05）。Cox回归模型分析显示T分期、是否行手术联合放疗的综合治疗是影响患者预后的独立因素。结论早期诊断、早期治疗以及综合治疗可提高梨状窝癌的生存率；早期患者及部分适宜的进展期患者行保留喉功能手术可提高患者牛活质量并取得较为满意的治疗效果。     

Clinical outcomes of end-flexible-rigidscopic transoral surgery (E-TOS) in patients with T1-selected T3 pharyngeal and supraglottic cancers

Background: Endoscopic laryngo-pharyngeal surgery (ELPS), which is a transoral minimally invasive surgery using a gastrointestinal endoscope and a curved laryngopharyngeal retractor, is effective to treat primary lesions of superficial laryngopharyngeal cancers. To extend concepts of ELPS to invasive laryngopharyngeal cancers, we developed end-flexible-rigidscopic transoral surgery (E-TOS) from ELPS by changing a gastrointestinal endoscope to a flexible-tip rigid endoscope.

Aims/Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate oncological outcomes and laryngopharyngeal functional preservation of E-TOS in patients with T1-selected T3 laryngopharyngeal cancers.

Material and methods: In 47 patients T1-selected T3 pharyngeal and supraglottic cancers were resected by E-TOS using the flexible-tip rigid endoscope and curved instruments. Negative resection margin was histopathologically evaluated. The survival, preservation of larynx, and disease control rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Curative resection was achieved in 94% of patients. No patient complained prolonged swallowing dysfunction or hoarseness after E-TOS. Postoperative bleeding, stenosis of the pharynx and esophageal entrance, and local recurrence was observed each in one patient. The 3-year overall survival, disease-specific survival, laryngeal preservation, local control, and locoregional control rates were, 86%, 93%, 100%, 98%, and 79%, respectively.

Conclusion: E-TOS is an effective minimally invasive surgery for T1-selected T3 pharyngeal and supraglottic cancers with preserving laryngeal function.     

335例喉癌患者手术治疗预后多因素分析

目的通过对335例喉癌术后生存率分析,了解影响预后的相关因素。方法收集335例初诊喉癌患者的临床和随访资料,采用χ^2检验或Fisher确切概率法单因素分析和Cox比例风险回归模型对其预后进行多因素分析。结果335例喉癌患者,5年疾病特异性生存率为73.2%,5年整体生存率为65.1%。单因素分析显示年龄、解剖分型AJCC2002年分期、手术方式、分化程度、术后并发症、术后放疗、局部复发和术后颈部转移组间生存分布的差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;多因素分析显示局部复发、术后颈部转移、年龄、术后放疗和声带活动是影响患者生存的独立危险因素。结论局部复发、术后颈部转移、年龄、术后放疗和声带活动是影响患者生存率的主要因素,早期诊断、坚持术后随访是提高患者生存率的关键。     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: a retrospective analysis of 22 cases

We examined our institution's experience with 22 cases of previously untreated buccal squamous cell carcinoma via a retrospective chart review. Eleven of these patients had been treated with a combination of surgical excision and postoperative radiation therapy, 8 patients with surgical excision alone, and 3 patients with radiation therapy alone. The overall 3-year locoregional recurrence rate was 32% (n = 7). The 3-year survival rates were 82% after surgery plus radiation (9 of 11 patients), 63% after surgery alone (5 of 8), and 33% after radiation alone (1 of 3). Three-year T-category-specific survival rates were 100% for category T1 tumors (3 of 3 patients), 73% for T2 (8 of 11), 50% for T3 (3 of 6), and 50% for T4 (1 of 2). Although the small size of our study precluded any statistically significant conclusions, we believe that locoregional control and survival rates may be greater with surgical excision plus postoperative radiation than with treatment with either modality alone.     

Results of conservation surgery for cancers of the supraglottis and pyriform sinus

A retrospective review of patients treated by surgery and/or radiation for carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx and the pyriform sinus was accomplished for the period 1964-1974. This patient population reflects the 10-year period following earlier experience with conservation surgery at this institution, and, thus, updates the current status of treatment for these cancers. Endpoints examined included survival, control, pattern of failure, the influence of nodal metastasis, and voice preservation. Of 160 patients treated for supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma, 119 received conservation surgery (subtotal supraglottic laryngectomy, SSL, or partial laryngopharyngectomy, PLP); 21 patients received total laryngectomy; and 20 others received palliative radiation. The 3-year actuarial survivals for these groups were 67%, 43% and 30%, respectively. Voice was preserved in 85% of the patients treated by conservation surgery, in 70% of those treated by radiation alone, and, of course, in none of the patients receiving total laryngectomy. There were 175 patients treated for carcinoma of the pyriform sinus; 85 received PLP; 57, total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP); and 33, palliative radiation. Actuarial 3-year survival was 59% for the PLP-treated group, 36% for the TLP-treated group and 11% for the palliation group. Voice was preserved in 52% of the patients treated by conservation surgery, in 6% of those treated by radiation alone, and in none of those patients treated by total laryngectomy. Comparison of this data with that in other published reports indicates that, for selected patients, conservation surgery is as effective in controlling disease as is radical surgery. Furthermore, it is possible to preserve speaking ability in a significant number of patients having carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx or pyriform sinus.