Early glottic carcinoma: Factors affecting radiation failure, results of treatment and sequelae

Abstract

The radiotherapy failure rate of 101 patients with T1, T2 and T3 glottic squamous carcinoma was analyzed with respect to age, race, sex, pathological grade, radiation dose, radiation treatment-field arrangement and surgical salvage rate. All patients who received telecobalt therapy for glottic disease were included. The group comprised 25% of 400 intrinsic squamous carcinomas of the larynx, treated in the Radiotherapy Department, Groote Schuur Hospital, from 1968 to 1975. Ninety-six patients were assessable. In all, disease was Stage N.0 at presentation; 33 failed locally, 6% developed nodal recurrence, 7% developed second primaries, 2% had distant metastases and 8% died of unrelated causes. Radiation sequelae and the importance of pathologic grade are discussed.