| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is the retrospective comparison of accelerated/hypofractionated radiotherapy regimen (AHFX) with standard fractionation regimen (SFX) for patients with early glottic carcinoma. One hundred and forty‐five patients with T1–T2 glottic cancer between 1986 and 1998 were eligible. Before 1992, patients received 60–66 Gy in 30–33 fractions over 6–6.5 weeks (SFX) with 60Co and 6‐MV beams. After 1992, patients received 52.5–55 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks (AHFX) using 6‐MV beams. The end‐points were overall survival, laryngectomy‐free survival (LFS), loco‐regional control and toxicity. One hundred and two were stage T1N0; 43 were stage T2N0. Median follow up was 4.9 years. The 5‐year overall survival was 78%. Five‐year loco‐regional control in T1N0 patients was higher in AHFX than in SFX group (95 vs 75%, P = 0.002). Loco‐regional control in T2N0 patients was similar for AHFX and SFX (81 vs 80%, P = 0.813). Overall LFS was 88%. T1N0 AHFX patients had 5‐year LFS of 95% compared with 75% for SFX (P = 0.003). For T2N0 AHFX patients, overall LFS was 92% compared with 80% for the SFX group (P = 0.291). No grade 4 or 5 late toxicity occurred. One AHFX patient developed grade 3 toxicity; two of 51 SFX patients developed grade 2 toxicity versus five of 94 AHFX patients. AHFX using 6‐MV beams for treatment of early glottic cancer resulted in equivalent LFS and toxicity when compared with SFX. |
