Conservation laryngeal surgery for selected pyriform sinus cancer.

AIMS: This study reports the treatment of a cohort of patients with pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma, using conservative surgery and radiotherapy.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients with pyriform sinus SCC were treated between 1986 and 2001, using partial laryngopharyngectomy with or without complementary radiotherapy. Seventy-six percent had stage III-IV lesions. Quality of life questionnaire and clinical examination were used for evaluation of laryngeal function.

RESULTS

Conservation surgery was undertaken. All patients underwent neck dissection. Two thirds of the patients received post-operative radiotherapy. Reconstruction was achieved by local muscular flap in 13 cases, radial forearm free flap in 18 and pectoralis major flap in three. Five-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 50 and 65%, respectively. Successful laryngeal function preservation with local control was achieved in 80% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Partial laryngopharyngectomy is a suitable treatment for early and selected advanced stage pyriform sinus carcinoma with a good functional and oncologic outcome.