T3 supraglottic cancer: treatment results and prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE

A retrospective study was performed in order to analyze the treatment results and prognostic factors in patients with T3 supraglottic carcinoma and to differentiate between the treatment results obtained for T3 transglottic carcinoma and T3 pure supraglottic carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Thirty-two patients who underwent surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy between 1990 and 2000 were studied. Neck dissection was performed in 27 patients and 24 received postoperative radiation therapy.

RESULTS

The 3-year overall survival rate was 81.7%. The 3-year overall survival rates for T3 pure supraglottic carcinoma and T3 transglottic carcinoma were 91.7% and 73.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed a prognostic significance for vocal cord fixation. T3 transglottic carcinoma was significantly correlated with vocal cord fixation.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that surgery, either alone or in combination with postoperative radiation therapy, provides acceptable cancer control and survival rates for patients with T3 supraglottic carcinoma. Vocal cord fixation detected during preoperative fiberoptic laryngoscopy is a significant prognostic factor. T3 transglottic cancer needs more aggressive management.