Results of 226 patients with T3 laryngeal carcinoma after treatment with transoral laser microsurgery.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in treatment of pT3 laryngeal cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series study of 226 patients with pT3 glottic (n = 122; 54%) or supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (n = 104; 46%). All patients were treated by TLM in combination with neck dissection (63%) and with postoperative radiotherapy (18%). Our main outcome measures were local control, organ preservation, functional outcome, overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

Median follow-up period was 57.8 months. The 5-year organ-preservation and local control rates for all patients were 87% and 71.4%, respectively. The 5-year overall, recurrence-free, and disease-specific survival were 64.4%, 63.0%, and 83.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Results are comparable to partial or total laryngectomy, while being superior to primary chemo(radio)therapy. TLM results in low morbidity, rapid recovery, and good function and can be a valid option for organ-preserving surgery of pT3 glottic and supraglottic cancer.