Does prolonged treatment course adversely affect local control of carcinoma of the larynx?

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to present local control rates of carcinoma of the larynx in relation to the total treatment course after radical radiation therapy. Methods and Materials : A total of 1350 patients with laryngeal carcinoma treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital for the past three decades were available for analysis. Treatment courses were divided into two groups: 45 days and > 45 days. The local control rates were compared and evaluated for statistical differences. Results : The data indicated that prolonged treatment course adversely affects local tumor control of both advanced glottic and supraglottic lesions, but to a lesser degree for the early tumors. Conclusion : The study indicated that for optimal local control, radiation treatment should be completed as soon as possible, preferably within 6.5 weeks, either by once- or twice-daily accelerated programs. The local control of early T 1 glottic cancer has been exceedingly satisfactory by conventional once-daily radiation therapy. Further improvement by shortening of treatment time for such early lesions will be difficult to assess without a prospective randomized trial.