Laryngeal Preservation Research Articles

Predictive Biomarkers for Response and Toxicity of Induction Chemotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers.

This review focuses on the molecular biology of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and presents current and emerging biomarkers of the response of patients to induction chemotherapy. The usefulness of genes, proteins, and parameters from diagnostic clinical imaging as well as other clinicopathological parameters is thoroughly discussed. The role of induction chemotherapy before radiotherapy or before chemo-radiotherapy is still debated, as the data on its efficacy are somehow confusing. Despite the constant improvement of treatment protocols and the introduction of new cytostatics, there is still no consensus regarding the use of induction chemotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer, with the possible exception of larynx preservation. Such difficulties indicate that potential future treatment strategies should be personalized. Personalized medicine, in which individual tumor genetics drive the selection of targeted therapies and treatment plans for each patient, has recently emerged as the next generation of cancer therapy. Early prediction of treatment outcome or its toxicity may be highly beneficial for those who are at risk of the development of severe toxicities or treatment failure—a different treatment strategy may be applied to these patients, sparing them unnecessary pain. The literature search was carried out in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases as well as in the selected conference proceedings repositories. Of the 265 articles and abstracts found, only 30 met the following inclusion criteria: human studies, analyzing prediction of induction chemotherapy outcome or toxicity based on the pretreatment (or after the first cycle, if more cycles of induction were administered) data, published after the year 2015. The studies regarding metastatic and recurrent cancers as well as the prognosis of overall survival or the outcome of consecutive treatment were not taken into consideration. As revealed from the systematic inspection of the papers, there are over 100 independent parameters analyzed for their suitability as prognostic markers in HNSCC patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Some of them are promising, but usually they lack important features such as high specificity and sensitivity, low cost, high positive predictive value, clinical relevance, short turnaround time, etc. Subsequent studies are necessary to confirm the usability of the biomarkers for personal medicine.

Advances in oral tongue reconstruction: a reconstructive paradigm and review of functional outcomes.

Glossectomy remains a common treatment of oral tongue malignancies, which has a range of functional impacts depending on the extent of resection. This review aims to categorize and provide context for the approach to reconstructing these defects using recent evidence. The reconstruction method of choice should be tailored to the size and location of the glossectomy defect with special consideration to replace tongue volume and preserve mobility. There has been an increasing focus on patient-reported outcomes in oral tongue reconstruction. For defects beyond one-third of the tongue, free tissue reconstruction, and more recently, the submental artery island flap yield excellent results. Advances in reconstruction of larger defects have included preoperative soft tissue planning and assessment of outcomes in total glossectomy patients with laryngeal preservation. Depending on the defect, the appropriate reconstruction may range from healing by secondary intention to large volume free tissue transfer. In general, functional outcomes diminish with increasing size and complexity of the defect regardless of the reconstructive technique.

SY17-3 Current status and perspective of the combination of immunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer

The standard treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN) is surgery ± postoperative (chemo)radiation therapy [(C)RT] or definitive CRT. The standard concurrent chemotherapy regimen is tri-weekly cisplatin. In the postoperative setting, weekly cisplatin is an alternative option. For laryngeal preservation, induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU followed by (C)RT is the treatment option. Recently, the efficacy of combined immunotherapy and CRT for curative intent has been reported.

Oncological Analysis and Surgical Outcomes in Postcricoid Carcinoma: A 14 Years Retrospective Study.

Simple SummaryHigh local failure and treatment-related morbidity represent a great challenge for postcricoid carcinoma which appears to be more aggressive and requires more morbid oncologic surgery with reconstruction of the larynx and hypopharynx. This paper presents a retrospective analysis focusing on the evaluation of clinical characteristics, therapeutic approaches, quality of swallowing, voice rehabilitation, and verbal communication after a long-term follow-up. To date, this is the first and largest cohort published to reveal a deep understanding of clinical routines in postcricoid carcinoma.Background: Postcricoid carcinoma is a rare but aggressive type of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with poor prognosis and high mortality; thus, it is indispensable to investigate the surgical efficacy and multimodal strategies. Methods: This retrospective study included postcricoid carcinoma patients undergoing surgical resection from 2008 to 2022. Treatment methods and clinical characteristics were analyzed to evaluate prognostic factors for oncological outcomes. Results: Of 72 patients, 13 cases were in the I–II stage and 59 in the III–IV stage. The overall survival (OS) was 50.0%; the laryngeal function preservation rate was 69.4%. Univariate analysis found that high mortality was associated with low tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, neck recurrence, and smoke history via log-rank test (p < 0.05); postoperative radiotherapy (RT) remained positive in OS (p = 0.04). The multivariable model further revealed that lymph node metastasis was a dominant determinant after accounting for covariates (HR 1.75; 95% CI 0.85–3.59). The data also indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm were causing lower rates of pharyngeal fistula and locoregional relapse. Conclusions: Surgeons should emphasize high-risk features and optimize individualized surgical procedures for postcricoid carcinoma patients. Combined with multimodal treatments, it is feasible to reconstruct laryngeal function and lessen postoperative morbidities in advanced patients.

Significance of induction chemotherapy combined with cetuximab in laryngeal preservation rate of locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

e18078 Background: Anatomical and functional laryngeal organ preservation is critical for patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LAHSCC). Induction chemotherapy with taxanes (T), cisplatin (P) and 5-FU (F) is a therapeutical option in patients with a strong desire to preserve the throat, whether enhanced induction chemotherapy (TPF/TP combined with cetuximab) can improve laryngeal preservation rate (LPR) and objective response rate (ORR) of LAHSCC remains controversial. Here we report the results of a retrospectively study comparing TPF/TP with TPF/TP plus cetuximab. Methods: Nanfang Hospital database was retrospectively queried for LAHSCC patients who received 2 cycle induction chemotherapy with TPF/TP (paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-Fu) with or without concurrent use of cetuximab for ORR. Results: A total of 81 patients were identified including 36 which had concurrent use of TPF/TP and cetuximab. The overall ORR was 71.60% (58/81), patients in the TPF/TP +Cetuximab group had significantly improved ORR (83.33% (30/36) vs 62.22% (28/45) (P = 0.037) compared to TPF/TP group. After IC, 24 patients underwent laryngopharyngectomies, 6 underwent larynx-preserving surgeries, 51 underwent CCRT and 3 received salvage surgeries. In addition, the total 3-month laryngeal preservation rate (LPR) was 69.13% (56/81), the cetuximab-associated LPR benefit was observed in patients with 60.0% (27/45) in the TPF/TP group, and 80.56% (29/36) in the TPF/TP +Cetuximab group (P &lt; 0.001). The adverse events of grade 3 or 4 were similar between the two groups except for skin rash (TPF/TP group 6.7% vs TPF/TP+Cetuximab 41.7%, P &lt; 0.001), which gradually subsided within 2 weeks after the drug withdrawal. Conclusions: Concurrent cetuximab use with TPF/TP induction chemotherapy in LAHSCC patients was associated with improved ORR and short-term LPR, with tolerable toxicity. Further prospective evidence from larger trials is warranted.

Larynx preservation up to T4 laryngeal cancer?

Kann die primäre Radiochemotherapie (pRCT) möglicherweise als alternative Standardtherapie zur totalen Laryngektomie (TL) angesehen werden? Gemäß der neuen S3-Leitlinie nehme der Patient zwar eine höhere Rückfallrate in Kauf, habe aber die Salvagechirurgie als kurative Option und insgesamt keinen Überlebensnachteil. In mehreren großen Datenbankanalysen und Fallserien findet sich für das T4-Larynxkarzinom ein signifikanter Überlebensnachteil der pRCT gegenüber der primären TL von über 30 %. Die Erfolgsrate der Salvagelaryngektomie beim T4-Karzinom liegt laut Literatur nur bei 25–50 %. Larynxorganerhaltstudien, die zur Empfehlung der pRCT als alternativer Standardtherapie führen könnten, sollten 1.) T4a-Karzinompatienten innerhalb ihrer T‑Kategorie auswerten, 2.) getrennt nach Larynx- und Hypopharynxkarzinomen, 3.) in aussagekräftiger Kollektivgröße, 4.) mit einem Nachbeobachtungszeitraum von mindestens 5 Jahren, 5.) mit onkologischen und 6.) funktionellen Outcome (Dauer von Tracheostoma u./o. PEG, Notwendigkeit und Erfolg einer Salvagelaryngektomie). 7.) Angabe des Kriteriums, das zur T4-Kategorie führte (Knorpeldurchbruch oder Art der extralaryngealen Ausbreitung), 8.) prätherapeutische Larynxfunktionalität (Tracheostoma, PEG). Eine Erfassung der genannten klinischen Daten aller T4-pRCT-Patienten in einer prospektiven beobachtenden Kohortenstudie im deutschsprachigen Raum wird vorgeschlagen. Bei Ablehnung der TL beim T4a-Karzinom sollte in ausführlichen einfühlsamen, aber instruktiven Gesprächen unterschieden werden zwischen einer primären spontanen Abneigung und der differenziert abgewogenen, definitiven Ablehnung. Nicht nur der onkologische, sondern auch der funktionell zu erwartende Outcome sollte in den Entscheidungsprozess einbezogen werden.

Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) following Conservative Surgery of the Supraglottic Region: Impact on Functional Outcomes.

Simple SummaryThe present study has been suggested by the previous experience of our group showing that patients treated with conventional radiotherapy (named 3D conformal radiotherapy—3D-CRT) performed after conservative surgery (CS) for tumors of the supraglottic regions experienced a high rate of severe long-term toxicity. Therefore, we reported the toxicity profile of a similar cohort of patients treated with a high-precision radiotherapy technique (named intensity-modulated radiotherapy—IMRT). Moreover, to investigate the advantage of IMRT, we performed a comparison with a historical cohort treated with 3D-CRT. Results showed that patients treated with IMRT achieved a very low toxicity profile and comparison with 3D-CRT was in favor of IMRTs. Therefore, we believe that the results of the present study provide preliminary findings on the potential of IMRT in improving the toxicity profile of patients treated with surgical organ preservation strategies for laryngeal tumors.The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on the toxicity profile of patients treated with conservative surgery (CS) of the supraglottic (SG) region. Data on patients treated with CS and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT)-IMRT were prospectively collected. Results. In total, 20 patients were analyzed. Of these, six patients (35%) required the positioning of a temporary tracheostomy. The functional larynx preservation rate was 95%. Females had a higher risk of both endoscopic intervention and chondronecrosis, while the median age was significantly higher in patients requiring enteral nutrition. The incidence of long-term severe toxicities was lower in patients treated with IMRT than in the historical 3D-CRT cohort. Patients who had received PORT-IMRT achieved a lower rate of permanent laryngeal and swallowing dysfunctions. Overall, results from the comparison with the historical 3D-CRT cohort favor the IMRTs.

Comparison of Oncologic Outcomes Between Radiation Therapy and Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Early Glottic and Supraglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma; a Retrospective Cohort Study with Literature Review

Background: Laryngeal cancer is known as the second most common airway cancer. These tumors are usually diagnosed early; thus, it is important to choose the optimal treatment modality. Several studies are comparing transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiotherapy in early-stage laryngeal cancer. Due to a paucity of high-quality research and the lack of conclusive randomized prospective studies, standard care for early glottic cancer is still a matter of controversy. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, T1-T2N0M0 laryngeal cancer patients who underwent TLM or radiotherapy were compared with statistical methods in terms of Recurrence Rate, Organ (Larynx) Preservation Rate, Mortality Rate, and Overall Survival. Results: A total of 123 patients were evaluated in this study, 65 of whom underwent TLM and 58 underwent radiotherapy. There was no significant difference in demographic and medical characteristics of patients. The rate of recurrence was 27.3% in the TLM group and 43.6% in the radiotherapy group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.114). Overall mortality rate (5.4% vs 39.6%, P = 0.001), Disease-specific mortality rate (5.5% vs 39.9%, P = 0.001), and aorgan preservation rate (98.5%vs 89.7%, P = 0.035) were all in favor of TLM. Conclusions: TLM appears to be the treatment of choice in patients with early laryngeal cancer due to a better overall survival rate, lower disease-specific mortality rate, and better organ preservation rate than definitive radiotherapy.

Efficacy of Larynx Preservation Surgery and Multimodal Adjuvant Therapy for Hypopharyngeal Cancer: A Case Series Study.

Background: Larynx preservation surgery (LPS) combined with multimodal adjuvant therapy (MAT) is re-emerging as treatment option for hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC). This study aims to explore the survival and functional outcome of this combined approach. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Selected patients with primary HPC treated by LPS and MAT at two large Beijing medical centers between 2005 and 2019 were included. In addition to LPS, patients received one or more of the following treatments: preoperative induction chemotherapy, postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. Results: In total, 64 patients were included (62 were men, and median age was 57.5years). The disease in most patients was in stage III (28.1%) or IV (56.3%), or in stage T2 (34.4%) or T3 (45.3%), based on the TNM scale. Across all patients, the rate of overall survival (OS) was 60.7% at 3yr and 47.3% at 5yr. OS was significantly higher for patients with stage I or II disease than for those with stage III or IV disease (HR 8.64, 95% CI 3.69-20.2, log-rank P = .010). Decannulation was successful in 55 patients (85.9%), and swallowing function was satisfactory (stage 0-III, on Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale) for 50 (78.1%). Median Voice Handicap Index-10 score on voice performance was 19 (range 4-40), and median Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Questionnaire score for QoL was 75 (range 16-105). Conclusions: LPS and MAT can provide satisfactory oncologic control and good functional outcomes for selected patients with HPC, especially those with stage I or II disease.

Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in Japanese patients with cervical esophageal cancer.

Cervical esophageal cancer (CEC) carries a poor prognosis; however, due to its low incidence, optimal treatment for CEC remains to be established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the current status of treatment of CEC in Japan and obtain evidence for establishing the appropriate treatment method. We asked specialist training facilities accredited by the Japanese Broncho-Esophageal Society to register data on CEC cases that received curative treatment from January 2009 to December 2014, and conducted a retrospective review of the clinical data of 302 cases registered from 27 facilities. In regard to the initial therapy, of the 302 patients, 33 had undergone endoscopic resection, 41 had undergone surgery, 67 had received induction chemotherapy (IC), and 143 had received chemoradiotherapy (CRT). There were no significant differences in the 5-year overall survival rates among the patient groups that had received surgery, IC or CRT as the initial treatment; advanced stage and recurrent nerve invasion were identified as independent poor prognostic factors. Among the patients who had received IC or CRT as laryngeal-preserving surgery was not indicated at the time of the initial diagnosis, the functional laryngeal preservation rate at the end of the observation period was 34.8%. Even in patients with advanced CEC, there is the possibility of preserving the larynx by adopting IC or CRT. However, if the laryngeal function cannot be preserved, there is a risk of complications from aspiration pneumonia, so that the choice of treatment should be made carefully.

Three-week hypofractionated radiotherapy in early glottic cancer – a single institution retrospective study

BackgroundRadiotherapy is a standard treatment option for early glottic carcinoma (stage I and II) with a fraction size of 2–2.2 Gy over 5–7 weeks. This study evaluates the outcome and prognostic factors of a 3-week hypofractionated treatment in early glottic malignancy.Materials and MethodsThe case records of 329 eligible patients with stage I and II glottic carcinoma recorded at the institution from 2003 to 2008 were retrospectively analysed. All patients were treated in a Cobalt-60 machine to a dose of 52.5 Gy in 15 fractions (3.5 Gy/fraction) over 3 weeks.ResultsEighty-three percent had stage I disease. The local control rate at 5 years was 91.9%. On univariate analysis, stage I and II patients without subglottic extension had better local control. Disease extension to the subglottis fared poorly on multivariate analysis. After salvage treatment, the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 96.1% and the functional larynx preservation rate was 94.9% for stage I and 83.9% for stage II. The rate of severe complications was 2.1%.ConclusionComparable results with low morbidity are achievable with a 3-week hypofractionation in early glottic cancers and it offers better patient convenience.HighlightsIn early glottic cancer, hypofractionated radiation provides excellent local control.Subglottic extension is a poor prognostic factor.5-year disease-free survival rate of 96.1%.5-year functional larynx preservation rate of 94.9%.Severe complication rate of 2.1%.

Randomized trial of laryngeal organ preservation evaluating two cycles of induction chemotherapy with platinum, docetaxel, and a novel Bcl-xL inhibitor.

Single cycle induction chemotherapy (IC) with platinum and 5-flurouracil (PF) and treatment based on clinical response predicts organ preservation in laryngeal cancer. Other agents offer intriguing alternatives with potentially increased ease of administration, reduced risk for severe toxicities, and increased platinum sensitivity. We report the results of a phase II bioselection trial in advanced resectable laryngeal cancer utilizing an IC regimen of two cycles of platinum plus docetaxel (TP) with a Bcl-2 inhibitor. The primary endpoint was organ preservation rate at 12 weeks post chemoradiation. Fifty-four patients were enrolled. Response to IC was 72%. The organ preservation rate was 59% with a laryngectomy free survival of 46%. Induction related grade ≥3 toxicities were observed in 56% of patients with two grade 5 events. Two cycles of TP IC plus a Bcl-2 inhibitor did not improve laryngeal preservation compared to a single cycle of PF.

A phase I/II trial of concurrent immunotherapy with chemoradiation in locally advanced larynx cancer.

ObjectivesCisplatin‐based chemoradiation is an established organ‐preserving strategy for locally advanced laryngeal cancer, but long‐term survival remains suboptimal. Immunotherapy has been studied in the metastatic and unresectable recurrent settings. However, additional data are needed to assess its role in organ preservation for locally advanced laryngeal cancer.MethodsThis trial was an open‐label, single‐arm, multi‐institutional study with a Phase I run‐in portion followed by a planned Phase II component, which closed early due to low accrual. Study patients had Stage III or IV (T2–3; N0–3; M0) laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and were candidates for larynx preservation. Pembrolizumab was given 2–3 weeks prior to chemoradiation and then, q21 days concurrently with high‐dose cisplatin and radiation prescribed to a total dose of 70 Gy. The primary endpoint of the trial was organ‐preservation rate (OPR) at 18 months.ResultsA total of nine patients were enrolled with a median follow‐up of 30.1 months. No patient required laryngectomy, resulting in 100% OPR at 18 months. The 12‐month overall survival (OS) rate was 77.8% and the median duration of OS was not reached. All acute Grade 4 (n = 3) toxicities occurred in a single patient with poorly controlled diabetes at baseline. One patient had late Grade 4 laryngeal edema requiring tracheostomy 8 months after chemoradiation, which self‐resolved.ConclusionUCCI‐HN‐15‐02 demonstrated the safety of the addition of immunotherapy to definitive chemoradiation and the patient outcomes suggest the potential for improving long‐term survival while minimizing negative impact from treatment. While results from this trial were promising, a randomized study with a larger number of patients and longer follow‐up is warranted to verify this treatment approach prior to wider adoption. NCT #: NCT02759575.Level of evidence: 2b

Does Operability Status Influence Outcomes in Patients with T4 Larynx Cancer Undergoing Larynx Preservation?

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Analyses of national care patterns and outcomes among patients with T4 larynx cancer (LC) have raised concerns that inappropriate utilization of larynx preservation (LP) has contributed to reduced survival compared to laryngectomy (LGX). Little consideration has been given to confounding by indication, wherein patients ineligible for standard of care receive non-standard therapy. We tested the hypothesis that operability status is an independent predictor of survival in patients with T4 LC and that patients who are deemed operable and who undergo LP do not have worse overall survival than those undergoing LGX. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> We queried the National Cancer Database for cases of T4M0 LC diagnosed from 2004-2015. Patients were categorized as undergoing either LGX, LP with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) when coded as being offered surgery but declining it (LP-operable), and LP undergoing CRT when lacking these codes (LP-inoperable). Overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier. Cox univariable (UVA) and multivariable analyses (MVA) were used to identify variables associated with OS. Age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, primary payor, facility type, Charlson-Deyo score, primary site, cT-subclassification, cN-classification, and treatment/operability group were entered as variables in the model. Analysis was repeated in a subset identified using inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) derived from propensity scores. <h3>Results</h3> We identified 1,405 LGX, 164 LP-operable and 1,969 LP-inoperable patients, with median OS of 43.7, 40.3, and 31.4 months, respectively (<i>p</i><0.01). Compared to LGX patients, Cox MVA demonstrated significantly worse OS among LP-inoperable patients (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.14-1.37, <i>p</i><0.001) but not among LP-operable patients (HR 1.12 95%CI 0.91-1.38, <i>p</i>=0.288). These findings were maintained in the IPTW sample: Median OS was 42.0, 40.3, and 31.1 months for LGX, LP-operable, and LP-inoperable patients, respectively (<i>p</i><0.01). Compared to LGX patients, Cox MVA revealed worse OS among LP-inoperable patients (HR 1.21 95%CI 1.11-1.33, <i>p</i><0.001) but not LP-operable patients (HR 1.03 95%CI 0.84-1.28, <i>p</i>=0.754). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Patients with T4 LC who are deemed operable but undergo LP do not have significantly worse OS compared to those undergoing LGX. Our findings suggest that prior retrospective comparisons have been confounded by operability status and indicate that there may be a cohort of patients with T4 disease who may be appropriately treated with LP. Additional research is needed to determine which T4 patients may be eligible for LP.

Response-Adapted Treatment Following Radiotherapy in Patients With Resectable Locally Advanced Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

Laryngeal preservation strategies for resectable locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma (LAHPC) have been explored. However, the optimal strategy remains unclear. To evaluate a response-adapted strategy based on an early response to radiotherapy (RT) in patients with resectable LAHPC. This cohort study was conducted from May 2009 to October 2019 with a median (IQR) follow-up period of 66.5 (44.7-97.0) months. The study was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center and included 423 patients pathologically confirmed stage III and IVB LAHPC. A total of 250 patients with previous cancer history, synchronous primary cancer, stage I or II, or with unresectable hypopharyngeal carcinoma were excluded. Patients who reached 80% or greater tumor regression when evaluated endoscopically and by imaging methods at 50 Gy received definitive RT or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and those with less than 80% regression underwent surgery 4 to 6 weeks after RT. Five-year overall survival and survival with a functional larynx. Overall, 423 patients were included in the study (median [IQR] age, 55 [50-63] years; 408 [96.5%] men and 15 [3.5%] women). The response-adapted and primary surgery groups had significantly better survival than the primary RT group (52.7% and 54.4% vs 27.7%, respectively; P < .001). The response-adapted and primary surgery groups had similar 5-year overall survival of 52.7% vs 54.4%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.39; P = .89). The response-adapted group had better 5-year survival with functional larynx than the primary surgery group (40.6% vs 33.9%; HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.84, P = .001). Surgery complications did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Among patients in the response-adapted group who required total laryngectomy (n = 186) as indicated by pretreatment evaluation, the 5-year cumulative Kaplan-Meier survival with functional larynx was 39.8%. In this cohort study, the response-adapted strategy based on an early RT response facilitated better treatment tailoring, maximum tumor control, and higher laryngeal preservation compared with primary surgery and primary RT strategies. This approach could provide a feasible laryngeal preservation strategy in patients with LAHPC.

Long-term Oncologic Results and Voice Outcomes in Patients With Glottic Cancer After Modified Type III Cordectomy.

Transoral laser microsurgery and radiotherapy provide high and comparable cure rates for the treatment of early glottic cancer. However, the voice outcomes after treatment remain controversial. A modified type III cordectomy technique was proposed in 2006, and preliminary results showed it to be an oncologically safe method with satisfactory voice outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate oncologic and voice outcomes after long-term follow-up of these patients. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary care academic center. Between 2006 and 2018, 42 patients with glottic cancer underwent a modified type III cordectomy. This technique resected the tumor and upper part of the vocal folds and preserved the lower part of the vocalis muscle as a scaffold to improve glottis closure. The oncologic results and voice outcomes were evaluated at a median follow-up of 68 months. The primary tumor stages included 13 T1 (31%), 26 T2 (64%), and 3 T3 (7%). Eight patients (19%) had local recurrence, and 6 underwent successful salvage with transoral laser microsurgery with or without postoperative radiotherapy with laryngeal preservation. The 5-year rate of local control was 80%; laryngeal preservation, 95%; overall survival, 89%; and disease-specific survival, 97%. The final laryngeal preservation rate was 95% (40/42). The voice outcomes were satisfactory and comparable to those of patients who underwent type I and II cordectomies. The modified type III cordectomy has been proven to be an oncologically safe method with satisfactory voice outcomes after long-term follow-up in selected cases of early glottic cancer.

Survival and Larynx Preservation in Early Glottic Cancer: A Randomized Trial Comparing Laser Surgery and Radiation Therapy

The prognosis of glottic T1a laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is excellent with both transoral laser surgery (TLS) and radiation therapy (RT). Our aim was to compare TLS and RT treatment results in a randomized study. Of 56 male patients with glottic T1a LSCC, 31 were randomized for TLS and 25 for RT. Survival and larynx preservation data were collected from medical records. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 87%, disease-specific survival (DSS) was 97%, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 81% in patients treated with TLS. Five-year OS was 92%, DSS was 100%, and RFS was 88% in patients treated with RT. The primary treatment method was not associated with OS, RFS, or DSS in a log-rank test. The larynx preservation rate was similar in both groups (TLS, 97%; RT, 92%; P=.575). In a prospective randomized setting oncological outcomes of both treatment modalities (TLS or RT) for T1a LSCC were similar.

Oncological Outcomes of Primary vs. Salvage OPHL Type II: A Systematic Review.

Background: Open partial horizontal laryngectomy type II (OPHL type II) has two main aims: oncological radicality and laryngeal preservation. The aim of this review is to define and emphasize the oncological efficacy of OPHL type II, both as primary and salvage surgery, by analyzing the latest literature. Methods: The research was carried out on Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, by using strict keywords. Oncological outcomes were evaluated by the following parameters: overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free survival, local control, laryngeal preservation, local recurrence. Results: The review included 19 articles divided into three groups: (1) primary OPHL type II, (2) salvage OPHL type II, (3) adjuvant radiotherapy after primary OPHL type II. The articles showed excellent results as far as oncological radicality and organ preservation. Conclusions: This review demonstrated that OPHL type II is useful to obtain oncological radicality both as primary surgery and salvage surgery. Nevertheless, the only criterion that determined the positive outcome and efficacy of this technique is the strict selection of patient and tumor.

Clinical outcomes and appropriate treatment strategies of locally advanced resectable cervical esophageal cancer.

313 Background: Due to its rare nature, no standard treatment based on the randomized controlled trials for locally-advanced resectable cervical esophageal cancer (rCEC) has been established. Prognostic factors of locally-advanced rCEC are not also well evaluated. When considering the treatment for rCEC, larynx preservation (LP) is an important issue, as well as the prolongation of survival. This study aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors on locally-advanced rCEC, and the appropriate treatment strategies focused on both LP and long-term survival. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of rCEC patients treated with surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at our institute from 2010 to 2020. This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board of NCCH (2017-229). Results: A total of 123 cases were extracted as subjects, treated with surgery in 53 and CRT in 70. 1/3/5-year PFS and OS in all subjects were 52/40/36% and 84/60/56%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that clinical tumor depth might be a prognostic factor (T1 vs. T≥2, hazard ratio [HR]: 2.30, p=0027. in PFS; HR: 2.86, p=0.046 in OS). In the subjects with ≥T3 lesion (N=95) who usually require laryngectomy, both PFS (31.0 vs. 7.0 months, HR: 0.50, p=0.013) and OS (not reached vs. 25.0 months, HR: 0.28, p=0.005) were better in subjects treated with surgical approach than with CRT. Focused on the cases with ≥T3 lesion and initially treated with induction chemotherapy (N=33), the surgical approach also showed better clinical outcomes than the CRT approach (median PFS: 19.0 vs. 8.0 months, HR: 0.37, p=0.007; median OS: not reached vs. 18.0 months, HR: 0.18, p=0.007). Especially, subjects treated with induction chemotherapy followed by larynx-preserving surgery achieved better outcomes. Conclusions: This study indicated that clinical depth might be a significant prognostic factor in rCEC. A chemo-selection approach using induction chemotherapy might be a good strategy to achieve LP and improve survival outcomes in locally-advanced rCEC.

Retrospective analysis on 77 cases of T4b hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated by non-surgical treatments

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness, safety and factors influencing the clinical prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma in T4b by nonsurgical treatments. Methods: The clinical data of 77 patients with T4b hypopharyngeal cancer treated in the College of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2010 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. All were males, aged(57.0±8.0)years old. Patients were treated with induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to compare the effects of different factors on prognosis. Adverse reactions during treatments and the causes of death were analyzed. Results: 98.7% of 77 patients with T4b hypopharyngeal cancer completed the chemotherapy plan and 94.8% completed the radiotherapy plan. The most common adverse reactions were grade 2 radiation oral mucositis (50/77, 64.9%) and grade 2 leukopenia (50/77, 64.9%). The incidence of grade 3 severe hoarseness was 7.8% (6/77), one patient (1.3%) underwent gastrostomy due to dysphagia, and pronunciation and swallowing function were effectively preserved in other patients. The overall survival rate was 71.9% at 1 year, 45.6% at 3 years and 29.7% at 5 years. The location of tumor, the presence of liquefaction necrosis in tumor, the use of molecular targeted drugs and the approach of radiotherapy were independent factors,each of which that affected the prognosis of T4b patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer [HR (95%CI) were 1.867(1.085-3.213), 3.018 (1.437-6.335), 0.372 (0.181-0.764) and 2.158 (1.015-4.588), respectively, P<0.05]. The two leading causes of death with high incidence were disease recurrence (12/32, 37.5%) and cervical large vessel rupture and hemorrhage (11/32, 34.4%). Conclusions: Non-surgical comprehensive treatment offers a high laryngeal preservation rate in patients with T4b hypopharyngeal cancer. The location of tumor, the liquefaction necrosis within tumor, the use of molecular targeted drugs, and the approach of radiotherapy are independent prognostic factors.