Cisplatin-fluorouracil exclusive chemotherapy for T1-T3N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma complete clinical responders: five-year results.

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To evaluate cisplatin-fluorouracil exclusive chemotherapy (EC) for T1-T3N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma complete clinical responders (CCR) after cisplatin-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy (IC). A retrospective analysis was performed of 58 patients with T1-T3N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma CCR after IC consecutively managed at our department between 1985 and 1992. Twenty-one CCR were managed with EC. Thirty-seven CCR were managed with IC and a conventional laryngeal-preservation modality. Analyses of survival, local control, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor were performed using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial life-table method. In CCR managed with EC, the independent factors of age, tumor classification, exact tumor location, true vocal cord motion, arytenoid cartilage motion, total dosage of drugs delivered, and number of courses received were tested for potential correlation with survival, local recurrence, nodal recurence, and distant metastasis. The 5-year survival, local control, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor rates in CCR managed with EC were 95.2%, 70.7%, 0%, 0%, and 14.3%, respectively. The 5-year rates of survival, local control, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor in CCR managed with IC and a conventional laryngeal-preservation modality were 86.1%, 97%, 2.7%, 6%, and 14.5%, respectively. Local recurrence was statistically more likely in CCR managed with EC (P = .002). Local recurrence in CCR managed with EC was always salvaged with partial laryngectomy or radiation therapy, which resulted in an overall 100% local control and laryngeal-preservation rate within this group. In CCR managed with EC, none of the variables analyzed was statistically related to survival, local recurrence, nodal recurrence, or distant metastasis. The present retrospective studies demonstrated that within T1-T3N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma CCR, there is clearly a significant subset of patients with chemocurable tumors who achieved both perfect preservation of structure-supporting voice and long-term survival after EC. Careful monthly follow-up evaluation allowed for timely successful salvage of local recurrence after EC without the need for total laryngectomy. Such management did not appear to increase the risk for subsequent nodal failure, subsequent distant metastasis, or reduced survival.