Laser resection of T1a glottic carcinomas: results and postoperative voice quality

OBJECTIVES: To calculate recurrence, mortality and complication rates and evaluate postoperative voice quality after laser resection of T(1a) glottic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1995 we have treated 118 patients with a T(1a) glottic carcinoma with laser surgery. In order to evaluate postoperative voice quality, patients who were alive and free of recurrence were sent the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire containing 30 questions concerning how their voice affects their daily life physically, emotionally and socially. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10%) had a local recurrence and received further treatment, either a second laser treatment, radiotherapy or a total laryngectomy. One patient (0.84%) died due to the laryngeal cancer. Ninety-nine patients were sent the VHI questionnaire and 94 of the completed questionnaires were included in the study and analyzed. The mean total score was 13.2, with mean subscores of 6.5 (physical), 4.1 (functional) and 2.5 (emotional). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that these patients as a group do not consider that their voice has a negative impact on their daily life. Good surgical technique is essential to obtain a good functional result. The laser strength should be kept low and the surgical margins small in order to minimize scarring and vocal cord stiffness.     

Health status and voice outcome after treatment for T1a glottic carcinoma

Radiotherapy as well as endoscopic laser surgery as the most widely used treatment modalities for T1a glottic carcinoma cause minor morbidity and negligible mortality and result in more or less comparable, excellent cure and larynx preservation rates. Therefore, other outcome measures such as voice-related problems and health status are important factors in the choice of treatment for T1a glottic cancer. The present study focuses on voice-related problems in the daily life of patients treated by radiotherapy or endoscopic laser surgery for T1a glottic cancer. Self ratings on health status assessed by means of COOP/WONCA health status charts and voice problems evaluated with a validated voice-specific questionnaire (the Voice Handicap Index) and overall judgment on voice quality were obtained. A total of 102 patients (56 treated by endoscopic laser surgery and 46 treated by radiotherapy) with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Response scores were high: 52 (93%) patients after endoscopic laser surgery versus 40 (87%) patients after radiation therapy completed and returned the questionnaires. A high percentage of patients reported voice problems in daily life: 58% of the patients following radiotherapy and 40% of the patients following endoscopic treatment had abnormal VHI scores. The difference between both treatment modalities proved to be significant. No significant differences were found concerning health status or overall judgment of voice quality. Moderate correlations were found between total VHI score and voice quality judgment and the COOP/WONCA social activities chart. This study reveals that treatment for T1a glottic cancer often does result in voice problems in daily life, negatively influencing patients social activities. Patients selected for endoscopic laser surgery on average report fewer voice-related problems than those who underwent radiotherapy.     

经口CO2激光治疗早期声门型喉癌术后嗓音分析

目的探讨经口CO2激光手术治疗早期声门型喉癌术后的嗓音情况。方法回顾分析2016年3月—2019年6月接受经口CO2激光手术治疗的48例声门型喉癌患者嗓音资料,根据手术是否切除前连合分为未切除前连组合（n=29）和切除前连合组（n=19）。分别于手术前和手术后6个月的嗓音稳定期对患者进行主观嗓音障碍指数量表简化中文版（VHI 13）评分、频闪喉镜检查及嗓音声学分析。结果经口CO2激光手术后6个月检查VHI 13生理评分及总分均较手术前明显减低;频闪喉镜检查未切除前连合组以声带黏膜波减弱或消失为主要表现,而切除前连合组术后出现前连合粘连和室带代偿性发音的比例明显升高;嗓音声学分析发现,与术前比较,激光手术后基频（F0）增加,基频微扰(jitter)和振幅微扰(shimmer)增大,最长发声时间(MPT)缩短,嗓音障碍严重指数（DSI）减低;未切除前连合组患者振幅微扰较切除前连合组更低,最长发生时间更长,DSI更高。结论声门型喉癌经口CO2激光手术后患者的主观嗓音质量较术前有一定程度的改善,是否切除前连合与术后声带形态、嗓音质量有密切关系。     

Radiotherapy or CO2 laser surgery as treatment of T1a glottic carcinoma?

Both radiotherapy and laser surgery give excellent results in the treatment of T_1a glottic carcinoma. In this study, we compared the outcome of these treatment options. Demographic details and continuous follow-up with exact cause of death have been recorded prospectively for 351 patients with T_1a glottic carcinoma at a tertiary referral centre in two consecutive decennia 1986–2005. Patients were treated with radiotherapy (163 patients) until 1996 when laser surgery was adopted as primary treatment (188 patients). The minimum follow-up time was 29 months. Neither the estimated 5-year disease-free survival, the disease-specific survival nor the crude survival differ between the two treatment options. The incidence of mainly local recurrences was equal during the first 3 years, followed by an increase in number of recurrences in the laser-operated patients. The odds ratio for a laryngectomy was 13.5 in patients treated with radiotherapy (P = 0.002), but mortality due to recurrence did not differ between the groups. The incidence of second primaries was equal (11%) but death due to second primaries differed significantly, favouring laser-treated patients (P = 0.003). In conclusion, the relative risk for a laryngectomy when a tumour recurs is 12.7 times higher in patients primarily treated with irradiation for T_1a laryngeal carcinoma, compared with patients treated with laser surgery. Regarding the treatment costs, treatment impact on patients and organ preservation, we consider laser therapy to be the better treatment option for patients with T_1a glottic cancer as no difference in survival could be observed.     

Evaluation of lasersurgery and radiotherapy as treatment modalities in early stage laryngeal carcinoma: tumour outcome and quality of voice

For treatment of early stage (Tis-T2) laryngeal cancer the main choice is between microlaryngoscopy with carbon dioxide laser resection (laser surgery) and radiotherapy. Because both treatments provide excellent tumour control, secondary outcome variables such, as quality of voice may be of importance in treatment preference. In this study tumour outcomes and quality of voice were analysed for a cohort of patients with early stage (Tis-T2) laryngeal (glottic) carcinoma. The “physical subscale” of the voice handicap index questionnaire (VHI) and a validated five-item screening questionnaire were used. Analysis of 89 patients treated with laser surgery and 159 patients treated with radiotherapy revealed a 5-year local control of 75 and 86 % (p = 0.07). Larynx preservation (5-year) was, however, superior in patients treated with laser surgery, 93 vs 83 % (p < 0.05). Tumour outcomes were also analysed per tumour stage and none were of significant difference. Quality of voice was analysed in 142 patients. VHI scores were 12.4 ± 8.9 for laser surgery and 8.3 ± 7.7 for radiotherapy (p < 0.05), with a higher score reflecting a worse outcome. VHI scores per tumour stage for laser surgery and radiotherapy were, respectively, 12.0 ± 9.9 and 7.9 ± 7.5 in T1a (p = 0.06), 16.7 ± 9.0 and 4.9 ± 6.6 in T1b (p < 0.05). Outcomes of the five-item questionnaire showed voice deficiency in 33 % for laser surgery and 23 % for radiotherapy in T1a (p = 0.330) and 75 and 5 % for T1b (p = 0.001). Oncologic outcomes of laser surgery and radiotherapy were comparable. Larynx preservation is, however, preferable in patients initially treated with laser surgery. According to subjective voice analysis, outcomes were comparable in T1a lesions. Depth of laser resection is of influence on voice deficiency displayed by a significantly higher percentage of voice deficiency in patients treated with laser surgery for T1b lesions.     

Voice in early glottic cancer compared to benign voice pathology

The purpose of this study is to compare (Dutch) Voice Handicap Index (VHIvumc) scores from a selected group of patients with voice problems after treatment for early glottic cancer with patients with benign voice disorders and subjects from the normal population. The study included a group of 35 patients with voice problems after treatment for early glottic cancer and a group of 197 patients with benign voice disorders. Furthermore, VHI scores were collected from 123 subjects randomly chosen from the normal population. VHI reliability was high with high internal consistency and test–retest stability. VHI scores of glottic cancer patients were similar to those of patients with voice problems due to benign lesions. Both groups of patients were clearly deviant from the normal population. Within the normal population, 16% appeared to have not-normal voices. Based on ROC curves a cut-off score of 15 points was defined to identify patients with voice problems in daily life. A clinical relevant difference score of 10 points was defined to be used for individual patients and of 15 points to be used in study designs with groups. Patients with voice problems after treatment for early glottic cancer encounter the same amount of problems in daily life as the other voice-impaired patients. The VHI proved to be an adequate tool for baseline and effectiveness measurement of voice.     

Long-term results of open cordectomy for the treatment of T1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma

Objective

To assess the long-term results and prognostic factors in patients who have undergone open cordectomy (OC) for the treatment of T_1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods

One hundred four epidermoid cancer patients operated from January 1989 through December 1999 were included in the study. Clinical parameters, postoperative complications, and postoperative stay were retrospectively evaluated in all cases.

Results

Mean survival for the patients included in the study was 61.5 ± 24.8 months after the date of operation (range: 11–121 months). Ninety-four patients did not have recurrent tumor (90.4%). Local, regional and distant recurrence were linked with a statistical negative impact on survival rates (p < 0.05). Only sero-hematoma was significantly related to local recurrence (p < 0.05), whereas the remainder complications did not. None of the complications was associated with neck recurrence or distant metastasis (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Open cordectomy is nowadays a valid technique for the surgical treatment of T_1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Its results are comparable with those of other more recent techniques.     

Long-term clinical outcomes of supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy for glottic carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Laryngeal carcinoma should be treated with the intent of organ-sparing, and supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) might be an important option.

Aims/objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of glottic carcinoma patients treated with CHEP.

Materials and methods: A series of 164 cases with glottic carcinoma undergoing CHEP from 2006 to 2010 was retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate, disease-specific survival (DSS) rate, and disease-free survival (DFS) rate were 77.6%, 78.8%, 74.1%, respectively. The OS, DSS, and DFS of patients with stage T1 were higher than patients with stages T2 and T3. Patients with locoregional recurrence and distant metastases had lower OS and DFS than patients with neither recurrence nor metastasis. The DFS of patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma was worse than that of patients with early-stage carcinoma. T2 and T3 stages, locoregional recurrence, and distant metastases had predictive value regarding patient survival. Additionally, the decannulation rate of postoperative patients was 95.1%, and the nasogastric feeding tube removal rate was 100%.

Conclusions and Significance: CHEP provided reliable oncologic and functional outcomes, and it should be considered as a standard function-sparing option for glottic T1b, T2, and selected T3 carcinoma patients.     

T3N0M0 glottic carcinoma—a pathologic analysis of 41 patients treated surgically following radiotherapy

T₃N₀M₀ glottic carcinoma—a pathologic analysis of 41 patients treated surgically following radiotherapy Forty-one patients undergoing surgery for recurrent or residual tumour following radical radiotherapy for T₃N₀M₀ glottic carcinoma had their larynges evaluated pathologically by whole organ laryngeal sectioning. All patients had been staged initially as T₃N₀M₀ glottic carcinoma and treated according to a protocol of radical radiotherapy (50–55 Gy in 4–5 weeks) with surgery reserved for radiation failure. Seventeen of the 41 patients died as a result of locoregional or distant recurrence or complications following surgery. Twenty-four patients were either alive or dead with intercurrent disease. Pathologic staging demonstrated 58% of these tumours to be rpT₄, 29% rpT₃ and the remainder rpT₀₂. The incidence of major cartilage invasion, vascular or perineural invasion, and subglottic extension greater than 15 mm was more frequent in patients with locoregional recurrence than in patients without recurrence. The presence of these pathologic features had a positive predictive value of 0.78 in relation to probability of locoregional failure. In addition, there was a significant difference in the frequency of these pathologic features between patients with and without locoregional recurrence (P < 0.001). The frequency of positive margins (19%) and pattern of involvement are described. The incidence of occult nodes (0%) in patients undergoing neck dissection is presented. The frequency (23%) and pattern of osteo-chondroradionecrosis are also described. The patterns of growth and spread observed were similar to those described previously. The importance of performing wide surgical resections in patients with recurrence following radiotherapy is emphasized.     

Laryngeal Compensation for Voice Production After CO2 Laser Cordectomy

Objectives

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser cordectomy is considered one of the modalities of choice for treatment of early glottic carcinoma. In addition to its comparable oncological results with radiotherapy and open surgical procedures, it preserves of laryngeal functions including voice production. The aim of this study was to detect how the larynx compensates for voice production after different types of CO₂ laser cordectomy for early glottic carcinoma together with assessment of the vocal outcome in each compensation mechanism.

Methods

One hundred twelve patients treated with CO₂ laser cordectomy were classified according to their main postoperative phonatory site. Perceptual analysis of voice samples using GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain) scale was done for 88 patients after exclusion of the voice samples of all female patients to make the study population homogenous and the samples of 18 male patients due to bad quality (4 patients) or unavailability (14 patients) of their voice samples and the results were compared with those obtained from control group that included 25 age-matched euphonic male subjects.

Results

Five types of laryngeal compensation were defined including: vocal fold to vocal fold, vocal fold to vocal neofold, vocal fold to vestibular fold, vestibular fold, to vestibular fold, and arytenoids hyper adduction. Characters changes of voice produced by each compensation type were found to be statistically significant except for breathiness, asthenia and strain changes in vocal fold to vocal fold compensation type.

Conclusion

The larynx can compensate for voice production after CO₂ laser cordectomy by five different compensation mechanisms with none of them producing voice quality comparable with that of controls.     

Analysis of prognostic factors for Tis-2N0M0 early glottic cancer with different treatment methods

IntroductionIn many regions, laryngeal carcinoma is a common upper respiratory tract cancer, most commonly involving the glottic region. The treatment of early glottic cancer includes radiotherapy, open surgery and laryngeal laser microsurgery. However, the preferred treatment for early glottic cancer is still controversial.ObjectivesTo study the factors affecting the 5-year survival rate of T_is-2N₀M₀ early glottis cancer and to demonstrate the oncological safety of different treatments.Methods144 patients with early glottic cancer were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were clinically node negative. 53 patients underwent open surgery, transoral CO₂ laser microsurgery in 46 cases and radiotherapy in 45 cases. The patients were followed up for 26 ? 84 months, with an average follow-up period of 62.9 months.ResultsThe 5-year overall survival was 82.6%. The 5 year survival rates of open surgery, laser microsurgery and radiotherapy were 83.0%, 82.6% and 82.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in 5-year survival rate among the three treatments (p = 0.987). In multivariate analysis, age, T-stage, pathological grading, and anterior commissure involvement were important prognostic factors for early glottic cancer.ConclusionThere was no significant difference in 5 year survival rate among patients treated by either radiotherapy, laser microsurgery or open surgery for early glottic cancer. We urge more attention to the age, T-stage, pathological grade, and anterior commissure involvement of the patients.     

Posterior cordectomy. Our experience

ObjectiveSeveral surgical procedures have been proposed for the treatment of respiratory distress secondary to bilateral cord palsy. We performed a retrospective study of our experience in posterior cordectomy with a laser CO₂, analysing the improvement of dyspnoea and voice quality after surgery.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 13 cases (9 female, 4 male). The age range was 25-79 years. Iatrogenic post-thyroidectomy (4 cases) was the most common aetiology of bilateral laryngeal palsy in our study.We assessed the subjective improvement of respiratory function and voice quality after laser surgery using the Spanish adaptation of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).ResultsDyspnoea improved in all patients. Two cases had a worsening of dyspnoea in the immediate postoperative period and one case was successfully solved with a new surgical intervention.After surgery, most of patients suffered from mild or middle dysphonia.ConclusionsThe posterior cordectomy is an easy, safe and effective treatment for dyspnoea secondary to bilateral laryngeal palsy, maintaining acceptable voice quality.     

Voice-related quality of life in T1 glottic cancer: irradiation versus endoscopic excision

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have explored posttreatment voice outcomes for early glottic cancer with varying results. To further clarify the voice-related quality of life (QOL) of T1 glottic cancer patients treated by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) compared to endoscopic carbon dioxide laser excision (CLE), we performed a meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis review for the years 1966 to 2005 for the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), laryngeal cancer, voice outcome, voice quality, and quality of life. Studies in which the VHI was assessed at least 3 months after treatment for T1 glottic cancer were identified and analyzed by meta-analysis techniques. RESULTS: Six studies with 208 patients (6 T1b and 202 T1a) treated with CLE and 91 patients (6 T1b and 85 T1a) treated with EBRT were identified. The posttreatment VHI scores were similar for the EBRT- and CLE-treated patients (p = .1, Wilcoxon rank sum test). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CLE and EBRT provide comparable levels of voice handicap for patients with T1 glottic cancer.     

Factors predicting Voice Handicap Index

ObjectiveTo assess factors that may be predictive of patient perception of dysphonia severity, as quantified by the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score.Material and methodsA prospective study is carried out in 81 voice samples from patients diagnosed with benign vocal fold lesions. Variables assessed for predictive value to VHI score are maximum fonation time, narrow band spectrogram, jitter, shimmer, HNR, NNE, F0 and the auditory perceptual evaluation of severity of dysphonia GRABS.ResultsHNR, F0 and B and S parameters of GRABS were predictors of total VHI score, functional and emotional subscales. No parameter was found to predict the physical subscale.ConclusionsVHI score is correlated with the perceived breathy voice and its acoustic attributes, such as signal-to-noise ratio. In other studies, patient perception of dysphonia is independent of many factors commonly assessed during the evaluation of voice disorders. It is reasonable to assume that the severity of glottic gap caused by benign vocal folds lesions is related to a low signal-to-noise ratio and the breathy phonation as its perceptual correlate. The physical subscale appears to be an independent element in the assessment of the patient perception of dysphonia.     

Voice handicap evaluation after supracricoid partial laryngectomy

The importance of patient self-impressions has been emphasized in determining the success of cancer treatment. The supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) is recognized as a suitable procedure for the treatment of T1b and T2 glottic carcinoma. The aim of this surgical procedure is the preservation of a physiologic phonation with optimal oncologic control. METHOD: Measurements included Voice handicap Index (VHI), Voice Related Quality of'Life (VRQL), subjective (GRBAS) and objective analysis. Objectives: evaluate voice problems after SCPL, provide correlations between patients' daily activities, VHI, and subjective evaluation of the dysphonia. PATIENTS: 53 patients were assessed more than 1 year after SCPL. 26 patients, less than 60 years of age and professionally active were included. The mean age was 48 years (43 to 59 years). Eleven patients had professional activities in the communications industry requiring a compulsory daily use of their voices. RESULTS: 57.6% of the active patients underwent a cessation or an adaptation of their professional activities. The mean VHI was 52.22. It was respectively 36.3, 50.03 and 52.42 according to the grade 1, 2, 3 of dysphonia. Correlations between VHI and the time laps since intervention (p: 0.047). discontinuation of professional activities (p: 0.037), and grade of dysphonia (p: 0.049) were found. CONCLUSION: VHI allows an evaluation of the voice problems after SCPL. A significant impact on voice is reported after SCPL and may influence the patient's life, with potential disturbance of their professional activities. Potential post surgical voice impact must be considered when the therapeutic options are discussed.     

CO2 transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic carcinoma with anterior commissure involvement

ObjectiveAnterior commissure (AC) involvement is an unfavorable factor for transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) treatment of early glottic carcinoma (EGC). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of TLM treatment for EGC with AC involvement.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2017, 177 patients with T1-T2 EGC with AC involvement were retrospectively included and divided into the TLM group (n=115) receiving CO₂ laser TLM and the control group undergoing open surgery (n=62). The survival outcomes, postoperative complications, laryngeal preservation rate, recurrence and the phonological results were compared between groups.ResultThe TLM group had significantly reduced hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and intraoperative blood loss as compared with the control group. The tracheotomy rate was significantly higher in the control group (96.8% vs. 0%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 89.6% and 85.5% in the TLM group and control group, respectively. Log-rank test showed no difference in survival rate between the two groups. There was no significant difference in laryngeal preservation rate and overall recurrence rate between groups. In postoperative vocal function evaluation, there were significant differences in the overall grade (G), the roughness (R), the breathiness (B), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Jitter, Shimmer, noise/harmonic ratio (NHR), maximum phonation time (MPT), phonation threshold pressure (PTP) between the two groups.ConclusionFor EGC with AC involvement, TLM has similar survival outcomes with the open surgery, but has better postoperative voice outcomes. Meanwhile, TLM can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, hospitalization costs and postoperative complications.     

二氧化碳激光与常规冷器械切除声带良性病变的疗效比较

目的 比较二氧化碳激光与常规冷器械切除声带良性病变的手术效果。方法 选取2017年12月—2020年12月于四川省会理市人民医院和四川省肿瘤医院接受治疗的200例良性声带病变患者,依据双盲法随机分为A组(100例)与B组(100例)。A组行常规冷器械法治疗,B组二氧化碳激光切除术治疗,术后对各组视频频闪、声学分析和语音障碍指数(VHI)进行评价。结果 两组结节、息肉、囊肿、黏膜白斑分布例数对比无明显差异(P>0.05)。两组术后3个月的闪烁噪声、嗓音抖动、基频均小于术前,术后3个月的最大发声时间大于术前。但两组术前和术后3个月的闪烁噪声、嗓音抖动、基频、最大发声时间对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者术后3个月的VHI的躯体、功能、情感、总计得分均小于术前,但经比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 两种手术方法在处理良性声带病变方面都有良好的疗效,但各有其优缺点。     

Treatment of vocal fold scar by carbon dioxide laser and collagen injection: retrospective study on 12 patients

Vocal fold scars are the result of injury to the vocal fold lamina propria. This condition leads to an impaired vibration and usually to poor voice quality. The purpose of our study was to compare the pre- and posttreatment voice assessment scores in patients treated by CO₂ laser-assisted freeing of the scar followed by collagen injection. A group of 12 patients (10 women and 2 men) with vocal fold scars was studied retrospectively. Voice assessment was based on stroboscopy and on perceptual scores using the Grade (G) of the GRABS scale, subjective evaluation by the use of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), aerodynamic measurements [maximum phonation time (MPT) and phonation quotient (PQ)], and acoustical measurements (frequency range and low intensity). Stroboscopy showed an improvement on the mucosal vocal fold wave and on the glottic competence. The mean VHI was improved from 63.16 to 45.5; G from 2 to 1.41; MPT from 7.05 to 8.62 s; and PQ from 463.02 to 358.54 ml/s. CO₂ laser freeing of vocal fold scars followed by collagen injection, combined with speech therapy, improved significantly the aerodynamic parameters (efficiency of voice), but not the acoustical scores.     

Management of T3N0M0 Glottic Carcinoma: Therapeutic Outcomes

Background The best therapeutic approach for the treatment of T₃N₀M₀ (stage III) glottic carcinoma is controversial. Method A retrospective study of Tumor Research Project data were performed using patients with T₃N_OM_O glottic squamous cell carcinoma treated with curative intent by seven different treatment modalities from January 1950 to December 1996 at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes‐Jewish Hospital. Results Two hundred patients with T₃N_OM_O glottic carcinoma were treated using seven modalities: total laryngectomy (TL, n = 30), TL with neck dissection (TL/ND, n = 40), conservation surgery alone (CS, n = 22), radiation therapy alone (RT, n = 29), TL combined with RT (TL/RT, n = 31), TL and ND combined with RT (TL/ND/RT, n = 36), and CS combined with RT (CS/RT, n = 12). The overall 5‐year observed survival rate (OS) was 54% and the 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate (DSS) was 67%. The 5‐year DSS for the individual treatment modalities included TL, 65.4%; TL/ND, 76.5%; CS, 71.4%; RT, 56.5%, TL/RT, 51.9%; TL/ND/RT, 71.4%; and CS/RT, 80%. There was no significant difference in DSS for any individual treatment modality (P = .375). The overall local and regional control rate was 74% (148 of 200). The overall recurrence rate was 37.5% with recurrence at the primary site and in the neck of 19.5% and 11%, respectively. Recurrence was not related to treatment modality. The 5‐year DSS after treatment of recurrent cancer (salvage rate) was 35.8%. The incidence of distant metastasis was 11% and for second primary cancers it was 19.5%. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between necks initially treated (72%, 5‐y DSS) versus necks observed and later treated if necessary (70%, 5‐y DSS) (P = .797). Conclusions The seven treatment modalities had statistically similar recurrence, complication, and survival rates. Patients with clear surgical margins have a significant survival advantage compared with patients with close and involved margins. Because postoperative radiation therapy in patients with positive margins did not improve survival, formal re‐resection of the site of the positive margin should be considered. In patients whose N0 neck was not treated electively, close follow‐up observation with meticulous examinations combined with appropriate treatment for subsequent neck disease resulted in a similar survival rate compared with those patients whose N0 necks were treated initially. Six‐year minimum follow‐up is recommended for early identification of primary and neck recurrence and for discovering expected second primary cancers. Patients treated with RT and CS had statistically similar rates of survival, maintenance of voice, and acquired permanent tracheal stoma. CS is a valid alternative to RT in treating highly selected patients with T₃N_O glottic carcinoma.     

Ploidy status and the response of T1 glottic carcinoma to radiotherapy

Flow cytometric DNA ploidy measurements were performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumour specimens from patients with a T₁ glottic laryngeal carcinoma in order to evaluate the role of DNA content in relation to local control. From 1980 to 1987, a consecutive series of 90 patients with a T₁ glottic laryngeal carcinoma were treated by radiotherapy with curative intent. Biopsies from 44 of these patients were readily available for DNA flow cytometry. In this group aneuploidy was associated with a significantly higher risk (P= 0.018) of local recurrence within 2 years after completion of radiotherapy (38% vs. 9% in the diploid group).