Transoral laser microsurgery for carcinoma in situ of the glottic larynx. A retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND

To investigate long-term results of transoral CO2 laser microresection (TLM) in glottic carcinoma in situ (CIS).

METHODS

A retrospective study of 34 patients with glottic CIS treated initially with TLM between 1986 and 2004. Median post-operative follow-up time was 62 months.

RESULTS

Three- and 5-year local control rates were 97 and 93%, respectively. Four patients developed local recurrence (rTis, rTis, rT1, rT4) that could be salvaged by repeated TLM in all cases. Neither adjuvant radiotherapy nor open partial or total laryngectomy was performed. There was no tumour-related death in this series.

CONCLUSION

TLM can be considered as an effective method in the treatment of glottic CIS not only for the primary therapy, but also in cases of local recurrence.