Radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx: An alternative to surgery

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 24 - 35
• Main Authors: Mendenhall, William M., Parsons, James T., Mancuso, Anthony A., Stringer, Scott P., Cassisi, Nicholas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-01-1996
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Glottis; Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms - pathology; Laryngeal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Laryngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Laryngectomy; Neoplasm Staging; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0347(199601/02)18:1<24::AID-HED4>3.0.CO;2-0

Background
The purpose of this article is to present the results of radiotherapy with or without neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx at the University of Florida and to compare these data with those obtained after conservation surgery.
Methods
Continuous‐course radiotherapy alone or combined with a planned neck dissection was used to treat 209 patients with 211 supraglottic carcinomas between 1964 and 1992; all patients had follow‐up for ⩾2 years.
Results
The 5‐year rates of local control after radiotherapy were as follows: T1, 100%; T2, 83%; T3, 68%; and T4, 56%. Tumor volume, as calculated on pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scan, and vocal cord mobility influenced the likelihood of local control.
Conclusions
Based on our data and the literature, early or moderately advanced supraglottic carcinomas may be treated successfully with either supraglottic laryngectomy or radiotherapy. Supraglottic laryngectomy probably produces a higher initial local control rate but, based on anatomic and coexisting medical constraints, is suitable for a smaller subset of patients and has a higher risk of complications compared with radiotherapy. HEAD & NECK 1996;18:24–35 © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.