[The extended indications of near-total laryngectomy].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate near-total laryngectomy in treatment of laryngeal cancers.

METHODS

Fifty-seven near-total laryngectomies were reviewed, among them 40 were T3 or T4 laryngeal cancers due to tumor invasion to the base of tongue or subglottic region.

RESULTS

In these patients, there were 11 cases of T3 pyriform sinus cancers, 5 cervical esophageal cancers, 1 case with adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the base of the tongue and oropharynx. Speech function had been preserved in 93% of cases with normal swallowing. Three year survival rates were 67.5% in laryngeal cancer and 50% in hypopharyngeal cancer. Local recurrence rate was only 3.5%.

CONCLUSION

The authors believed that near-total laryngectomy is safe and beneficial to the patients with the above types of cancers. The quality of life may improve if speech function is preserved.