Endoscopic treatment of Cis-T2 glottic cancer with a CO2 laser: 2-year survival analysis of 36 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To report our 2-year survival outcomes for early glottic carcinoma using microsurgical resection with the CO2 laser.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

METHODS

Outcomes from a cohort of 36 patients with glottic cancer staged Cis-T2 (7 Cis, 17 T1, 12 T2) who underwent endoscopic resection using a CO2 laser between January 2002 and June 2005 were studied. The mean follow-up was 27 months (range 0-54 months). All follow-ups were performed at our multidisciplinary head and neck oncology clinic at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

RESULTS

Using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the 2-year recurrence-free survival for the cohort was 89%, with a standard error of 6.7%. At the time of the study, no patient had died of laryngeal cancer, one patient had died of other disease, and one patient was lost to follow-up. There had been three recurrences in the cohort, two local recurrences (T1), and one recurrence in a regional lymph node (T2). After salvage, all patients with recurrences were disease free at the time of the study. Of 35 cases with follow-up, 60% had no reported problems with voice on their last visit and 17% reported consistent hoarseness or weakness.

CONCLUSION

These results justify the continued treatment of early glottic carcinoma with CO2 laser microsurgery at our centre.