Glottic squamous cell carcinoma (T(2)): a retrospective study.

Seventy-three patients with T(2) glottic squamous cell carcinoma were treated primarily with a full course of cobalt radiotherapy. This series covered the time period between 1960 and 1972 and, therefore, all patients were eligible for five-year follow-up. Only seven patients, or 9.6%, have died of or with recurrent laryngeal carcinoma. Fourteen patients suffered recurrence of disease after radiotherapy and 12 of this group underwent salvage surgery. Surgery was successful in controlling recurrent disease in 7 of 12 patients, 3 of whom are still alive and free of disease. Forty-two patients, or 57.5%, are alive and free of disease five or more years after diagnosis. Twenty-four patients died without evidence of disease; 11 lived more than five years and 13 died in less than five years. On the basis of these findings, we feel that the best treatment for T(2) glottic squamous cell carcinoma is a full course of cobalt radiotherapy followed, when necessary, by salvage surgery.