Carcinoma in situ of the glottis: radiotherapy or excision biopsy?

Excision biopsy, radiotherapy, and laryngofissure cordectomy have all been used, but the best treatment regimen for glottic carcinoma in situ remains controversial. A 20-year experience of 37 cases is reported. For the first 10 years biopsy with radiotherapy was the first-line treatment (n = 20), but for the last 10 years surgical or laser excision biopsy alone has been performed (n = 17). The T stage of the carcinoma in situ does not determine its premalignant potential. Malignancy appears to be a recurrence, rather than a new expression of carcinogenesis. Excision biopsy alone provides local control results (75%) comparable to those of primary radiotherapy (85%). Excision biopsy alone, however, retains the option of subsequent radiotherapy with preservation of laryngeal function, but very close follow-up, especially in the first year, is required.