Glottic carcinomas stage 0 and I. Treatment results in 151 patients.

A series of 151 patients with stage 0 and I glottic carcinomas treated during the period of 1965-1983 at the Radium Centre and the ENT-Department in Odense was analysed. The 5-year survival--corrected for intercurrent deaths--was 99%, with only 2 deaths from laryngeal cancer being observed so far. Nineteen patients developed recurrences which were treated with 11 partial and 7 total laryngectomies, while one patient received palliative treatment only. So far, 3 patients have developed new cancers inside the irradiated volume. These results are compared with the results of laser surgery. The risk of radiation induced development of new cancers is commented. The conclusion is that, so far, there is no need for a change of therapy in centres where radiotherapy is well established. However, the risk of late new cancers must be carefully observed.