Laryngectomy-free Survival Research Articles

Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index as a prognostic factor of hypopharyngeal cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy

Conclusion: The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) was associated with overall survival, disease-specific survival, and non-cancer death in patients treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC). Further studies using other CRT regimens are required.Objective: To investigate the impact of the ACCI on survival in patients with HPC.Methods: This study reviewed 128 patients with HPC who received CRT between 2004–2012. The survival rates and the cumulative incidence of non-cancer death according to the ACCI were estimated. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the hazard ratio (HR) of the ACCI.Results: The disease-specific survival rates at 3 years for the low ACCI group, moderate group, and high group were 80.1%, 45.8%, and 54.8%, respectively (p = 0.007). The laryngectomy-free survival rates at 3 years were 61%, 39.7%, and 37.1%, respectively (p = 0.137). The cumulative incidences of non-HPC death were 5% for the low/moderate ACCI group and 15.5% for the high ACCI group (p = 0.031). The HRs compared to the low ACCI group for overall survival, disease-specific survival, and laryngectomy-free survival were 2.61 and 2.74, 2.55 and 2.27, and 1.75 and 1.97 in the moderate and high ACCI groups, respectively.

Transoral Laser Microsurgery vs Radiotherapy for Early Glottic Cancer: Study at Tertiary Care Center in India

ABSTRACT Aim To compare laryngeal preservation rates, survival rates, and voice outcomes after treatment of early glottic cancer between transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiotherapy (RT). Materials and methods A review of oncologic results was performed on a consecutive series of individuals with early-stage glottic carcinoma (T1 and T2) who were treated between 2011 and 2014 at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology and had received either RT or TLM. Data were collected with a view to assess overall survival, disease-specific survival, laryngectomyfree survival, and laryngeal preservation rates. The Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30) was used as the measure of voice quality after treatment. Results Two-year overall survival for TLM group was 93.8% and for RT group was 90.5%, p = 0.643. Disease-free survival (TLM = 90.6% vs RT = 76.2%) was not found to be significant (p-value = 0.104). Laryngeal preservation rate was 79.5% in TLM and 71.4% in RT group (p-value = 0.003). Laryngectomy- free survival was better in TLM (TLM = 96.9% vs RT = 76.2%, p = 0.003). Substage analysis showed equivalent voice for TLM (VHI = 6–12) and RT (VHI = 6–14) in T1a patients (p = 0.94), whereas voice outcome was better for RT in T1b (VHI = 10–16 for TLM vs VHI = 11–18 for RT, p = 0.044) and T2 (VHI = 21–29 for TLM vs VHI = 16–23 for RT, p = 0.002) stages. Conclusion Transoral laser microsurgery can be considered the treatment of choice for early glottic cancer in view of better laryngeal preservation rate and laryngectomy-free survival with added advantage of low treatment cost and shorter hospital stay compared with RT. Clinical significance Laryngeal cancers represent the most common malignancy of head and neck, with estimated worldwide incidence of 120,000 cases annually. Optimal treatment modality has generated significant controversy in literature. External beam RT, open partial laryngectomy, and TLM are various treatment options available. This study depicts TLM as a preferred modality for early glottic cancer. How to cite this article Shenoy AM, Sharma V, Chavan P, Halkud R, Ranganath N, Pasha T, Shenoy P, Ravikumar B, Narayana SM, Sharif MI, Vijay CR. Transoral Laser Microsurgery vs Radiotherapy for Early Glottic Cancer: Study at Tertiary Care Center in India. Int J Head Neck Surg 2017;8(1):15-20.

Induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy for larynx preservation in advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: Outcome prediction after one cycle induction chemotherapy by a score based on clinical evaluation, computed tomography-based volumetry and 18F-FDG-PET/CT

BackgroundLong-term laryngectomy-free (LFS), tumour-specific (TSS) and overall survival (OS) is achieved by non-surgical larynx preservation (LP) only in a proportion of patients with locally advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. A score facilitating decision-making after 1 cycle induction chemotherapy (IC-1) may improve LFS and TSS. MethodsEarly response to IC-1 with TPF ± cetuximab was assessed in 52 patients using endoscopic tumour staging for selecting total laryngectomy for non-responders with endoscopic tumour surface shrinkage <30% versus induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (IC + RT) for responders. Computed tomography (CT)-based volumetry was used to assess volumes of primary tumour, neck nodes and their sum; maximum and mean standardised uptake value (SUVmax, SUVmean) were measured by 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Baseline and residual values after IC-1 were calculated and correlated with LFS, TSS and OS. ResultsAfter IC-1, 39/52 patients (75%) were early responders. Early response predicted complete response to IC + RT (p = 8.48 × 10−9). Early laryngectomised non-responders and responders with endoscopic tumour surface shrinkage > 70% had best OS. Significant independent predictors for LFS in responders are number of CT-staged suspect positive neck nodes (N+), residual primary tumour volume, residual total tumour volume and the ratio of residual SUVmax and SUVmean (resSUVmax/resSUVmean). Our LFS-score combines >2N+, residual primary tumour volume > 20%, residual total tumour volume > 5.6 mL and resSUVmax/resSUVmean > 1.51 weighted by their hazard ratio (12, 6, 5 and 4); LFS-score ≤ 16 predicts increased LFS, OS and TSS (p < 0.05). ConclusionLFS-score ≤ 16 identifies in responders to IC-1 the patients with maximum benefit of non-surgical LP achieving long-term LFS. Even more importantly, a LFS-score > 16 defines patients unsuitable for LP applying the TPF/TP IC + RT protocol.

Characteristics and outcome of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in young adults

Laryngeal carcinoma rarely occurs in the young adult population. Therefore, the optimal treatment for this age group is unclear, specifically regarding organ preservation treatment. In order to assess the distinct characteristics of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in young adults and describe the effect of treatment on survival, a retrospective chart review of all patients aged <40 years, who were treated in a tertiary referral center for laryngeal SCC between January 1960 and December 2013, was performed. Patients who were treated prior to and following the Veterans study, representing an arbitrary point which started the organ preservation era, were compared. A total of 29 patients (male:female ratio, 2.6:1) were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 35±5 years and 17 patients (59%) were smokers. In total, 12 (41%) of patients were stage I, 4 (14%) were stage II, 8 (28%) were stage III and 5 (17%) were stage IV. Glottic tumors were present in 20 (69%) of patients and supraglottic tumors in 6 (21%); the site of tumor origin could not be determined in 3 (10%) of patients. Surgery was performed in 11 (38%) of patients, radiation in 21 (72%) and chemotherapy in 5 (17%). A comparison between patients treated prior to and following the Veterans study demonstrated a 2-year higher laryngectomy-free survival rate of 53% and 78%, respectively (P=0.299). The 2-year disease-free survival rate was 93% for patients who were treated prior to the Veterans study and 71% for patients who were treated after (P=0.001), with no significant change in overall survival (P=0.413). The results suggest that the characteristics and behavior of laryngeal carcinoma in young adults is similar to older adults. Higher rates of 2-year laryngectomy-free survival were noted in patients treated following the organ preservation era with no significant difference in survival compared with patients who were treated before.

Laryngo-esophageal Dysfunction-free Survival in a Preservation Protocol for T3 Laryngeal Squamous-cell Carcinoma.

We reviewed the outcomes of patients with T3 laryngeal neoplasms with a fixed hemilarynx, a large gross tumor volume or a subglottic extension (SGE), treated with a laryngeal-preservation protocol with induction chemotherapy. The study end-points were laryngo-esophageal dysfunction-free survival (LEDFS), laryngectomy-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). A total of 104 patients were included. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates were 70.4% and 54.5%, respectively. OS and DFS were independent of the treatment modality in the whole cohort (p=0.6546 and p=0.3006, respectively) and in patients with SGE (p=0.529 and p=0.255, respectively). The 2-year and 5-year LEDFS rates were 44.3% and 28.2%, respectively. LEDFS was not associated with initial hemilaryngeal fixation or SGE (p=0.5772 and p=0.0623, respectively). Chemoselection is feasible without compromised oncological or functional outcomes in patients with an initially fixed hemilarynx or subglottic extension.

Could the Addition of Cetuximab to Conventional Radiation Therapy Improve Organ Preservation in Those Patients With Locally Advanced Larynx Cancer Who Respond to Induction Chemotherapy? An Organ Preservation Spanish Head and Neck Cancer Cooperative Group Phase 2 Study

Toevaluate the efficacy and safety of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by bioradiotherapy (BRT) to achieve functional larynx preservation in the setting of locally advanced head and neck tumors. This was a phase 2, open-label, multicenter study of patients with stage III and IVA laryngeal carcinoma who were candidates for total laryngectomy. Theprimary endpoint was the rate of survival with functional larynx (SFL) at 3years, with a critical value to consider the study positive of SFL >59%. Patients received 3 cycles of IC with TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil), and those who responded received conventional BRT with cetuximab. In patients with residual nodal disease after BRT, neck dissection was planned 2months after BRT. Patients who did not respond to IC underwent total laryngectomy plus neck dissection and radiation therapy. A total of 93 patients started TPF. Responses to IC on larynx target lesion were as follows: 37 patients (40%) showed a complete response; 38 patients (41%) showed a partial response; 8 patients (9%) showed stabilization; 2 patients (2%) showed progressive disease, and 8 patients (9%) were not evaluated (2 deaths, 5 adverse events, and 1 lost to follow-up). Seventy-three patients (78%) received BRT: 72 as per protocol, but 1 with only stable disease. Median follow-up was 53.7months. Three-year actuarial rates were as follows: SFL: 70% (95% confidence interval [CI] 60%-79%); laryngectomy-free survival: 72% (95% CI 61%-81%); overall survival: 78% (95% CI: 63%-82%). The acute toxicity observed during both IC and BRT was as expected, with only 1 toxicity-related death (local bleeding) during BRT. According to this protocol, the SFL rate was clearly higher than the critical value, with acceptable levels of toxicity. The use of cetuximab added to radiation therapy in patients with stage III and IVA laryngeal cancer who respond to TPF could improve functional larynx preservation. A phase 3 trial is warranted.

WS-3-2 - Induction chemotherapy for organ preservation strategy (Pros)

Based on the results of the Veterans Affairs' (VA) and EORTC studies, induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by radiation (RT) with surgery reserved for salvage came to be considered a new standard treatment for patients with locally advanced cancer of the larynx. In the RTOG 91-11 trial for patients with resectable advanced laryngeal cancer requiring total laryngectomy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was superior to ICT followed by RT or RT alone for laryngeal preservation (LP) and locoregional control, leading to CRT being considered standard treatment for organ preservation in this population. However, CRT also resulted in increased significant long-term toxicities, including gastrostomy tube dependence, aspiration, and pharyngoesophageal stricture requiring dilation, leading to failure of the stated goal of organ preservation. Furthermore, these severe complications make salvage surgery after CRT a challenge. In the long-term results of RTOG91-11, although there was no significant difference in overall survival, the survival curves did separate after 4.5 years, favoring ICT. It is possible that unrecognized or under-reported late toxicity affecting swallowing function contributed to some of the non-cancer-related deaths that emerged with longer follow-up. Also, no difference between the ICT and CRT arms was seen in laryngectomy-free survival (LFS), which is now considered a more appropriate endpoint for organ preservation than LP. Using response to ICT as a surrogate predictive biomarker for successful organ preservation is an appealing concept (Pfister JCO 2006, Urba S, JCO 2006). Namely, ICT provides the opportunity for patient selection, leading to the avoidance of significant CRT toxicities and surgical complications. Treatment planning for patients with resectable locally advanced SCCHN who desire organ preservation should take account of the goal of treatment, which is good quality of survival.

Multicenter Phase 2 Study of Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil With Concurrent Radiation Therapy as an Organ Preservation Approach in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervical Esophagus

Toclarify, in a multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 study (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry no. UMIN000001439), the clinical profile of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for cervical esophageal cancer. Patients with operable cervical esophageal cancer, excluding candidates for endoscopic resection, were enrolled. Protocol treatment consisted of CRT and adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). First, patients received concurrent CRT with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin (CDDP). Chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU at 700mg/m2 intravenous on days 1 to 4 and CDDP at 70mg/m2 intravenous on day 1, repeated every 4weeks for 2 cycles. Radiation therapy consisted of 60Gy in 30 fractions. After completion of CRT, 2 additional cycles of CT with 5-FU (800mg/m2, days 1-5) and CDDP (80mg/m2, day 1) were repeated at a 4-week interval. The primary endpoint was 3-year overall survival. Thirty patients were enrolled across 8 institutions in Japan, consisting of 26 men and 4 women with a median age of 64.5years (range, 50-75years). No grade 4 hematologic toxicity was seen in the CRT phase, and 1 grade 4 thrombocytopenia was seen in the CT phase. Grade 3 nonhematologic acute toxicities in the CRT phase were nausea (10%), mucositis (13.3%), and dysphagia (13.3%). No treatment-related death in either phase occurred. Overall complete response rate was 73%, and 3-year overall and laryngectomy-free survival were 66.5% and 52.5%, respectively. Regarding T4 disease, 3-year overall and laryngectomy-free survival were 58.3% and 38.5%, respectively. This study, the first prospective study for cervical esophageal cancer, showed that CRT has sufficient efficacy and safety for use as an alternative to surgery for these patients.

Long-term outcomes after multidisciplinary management of T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas: Improved functional outcomes and survival with modern therapeutic approaches.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes after initial definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for T3 laryngeal cancers. We reviewed 412 patients treated for T3 laryngeal squamous cell cancer from 1985 to 2011. The 10-year overall survival (OS) was 35%; disease-specific-survival (DSS) was 61%; locoregional control was 76%; and freedom from distant metastasis was 83%. Chemotherapy, age, performance status <2, node-negative status, and glottic subsite were associated with improved survival (all p < .03). Larynx preservation with induction and/or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (LP-CRT) had better laryngectomy-free survival than RT alone (LP-RT; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47-0.81; p = .0005); 10-year laryngectomy-free survival rates of the LP-CRT cohort (37%) were higher than those of the LP-RT cohort (18%). The 5-year DSS and OS rates of the LP-CRT cohort (79% and 67%) were better after total laryngectomy with postoperative RT (TL-PORT; 61% and 50%) and LP-RT (64% and 46%; p < .006 for all). In patients with T3 laryngeal cancers, LP-CRT provides better functional, oncologic, and survival outcomes than historical TL-PORT or LP-RT does. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1739-1751, 2016.

Final results of the randomized phase II DeLOS-II trial: Induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by radiotherapy (R) vs. cetuximab (E) plus IC and R for functional larynx preservation in resectable laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer (LHSCC).

6025Background: To evaluate the impact of E added throughout IC and R on the rate of two-year functional laryngectomy free survival (fLFS). Methods: Untreated patients (pts) with stage III/IV LHSCC...

Pretreatment computed tomographic gross tumor volume as predictor of persistence of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube in patients undergoing larynx preservation.

Although larynx preservation affords patients improvements in laryngectomy-free survival, little has been reported regarding the functional outcomes after larynx preservation. The purpose of this study was to report the predictive value of pretreatment CT-gross tumor volume (GTV) for persistence of tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube in larynx preservation patients. Each patient had a CT scan before initiation of therapy and the GTV was contoured. Using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), threshold GTVs of 27.16 cc and 12 cc were identified for association of time with tracheostomy and PEG tube, respectively. Median (95% confidence interval [CI]) times above and below these thresholds were 1.84 (1.06-not reached [NR]) and 0.75 (0.63-1.26) years, respectively (p = .03) for time with tracheostomy and 1.75 (1.34-NR) and 0.84 (0.46-NR) years, respectively (p = 0.10) for time with PEG tube. This study demonstrates that pretreatment CT-GTV is predictive of an approximately 2.5-fold and approximately 2-fold, respectively, increase in time with tracheostomy and PEG tube. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: First-1458, 2016.

Outcomes for hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with organ-preservation therapy.

This study assessed outcomes of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with organ-preservation therapy utilizing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The medical records of 98 patients treated with definitive IMRT +/- chemotherapy from 2001 to 2013 for nonmetastatic hypopharyngeal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated to doses of 66 to 72 Gy. Eighty-three patients (85%) received chemotherapy. With median follow-up of 35 months, 2-year overall survival (OS), locoregional control, progression-free survival (PFS), and laryngectomy-free survival rates were 74%, 77%, 67%, and 65%, respectively. Functional laryngeal preservation rate was 76% at 2 years. N3 disease correlated with worse OS (p < .01). Concurrent chemotherapy correlated with improved locoregional control (p = .03) and complete response to induction chemotherapy correlated with improved OS and PFS (p = .02). Actuarial 2-year and 5-year grade 3 treatment toxicities were 17% and 21%, respectively. Favorable disease outcomes and functional laryngeal preservation rates can be achieved with IMRT for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2091-E2099, 2016.

Pattern of failure in 5001 patients treated for glottic squamous cell carcinoma with curative intent – A population based study from the DAHANCA group

PurposeTo describe the pattern of failure in a national consecutive cohort of patients with glottic squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) with curative intent over a 41-year period. Materials and methodsAll patients undergoing curative treatment for a glottic SCC diagnosed in Denmark between 1971 and 2011 were included and followed from the first contact with the oncology center to death or February 15, 2015. Results5001 patients were identified of whom 98% had primary RT. The median follow-up was 9.1years/5.7years (patients alive/patients who died). Ten patients were lost to follow-up. In total 1511 failures were observed; of these 93%, 11% and 5% included T site, N site, and M site, respectively. For patients diagnosed in the 70s and the 00s, respectively, the five-year incidences were: local failure (32% vs 19%), loco-regional failure (34% vs 21%), laryngectomy (26% vs 10%), laryngectomy-free survival (48% vs 62%), disease-free survival (62% vs 68%), and overall survival (62% vs 68%). The five-year incidence of ultimate failure (13–16%) remained statistically unchanged. ConclusionFrom the 70s to the 00s a continually improving primary disease-control was observed with a concurrent decrease in the incidence of laryngectomy. The survival rate was significantly higher in the 00s compared to the previous three decades.

Clinical outcomes in patients with T4 laryngeal cancer treated with primary radiotherapy versus primary laryngectomy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of T4 laryngeal cancers. T4 laryngeal cancers treated with curative intent from January 2003 to December 2010 were analyzed. Outcomes were evaluated in both primary radiotherapy (+/- chemotherapy) (RT/CRT) and primary surgery cohorts. Among the 65 primary RT/CRT and 42 primary surgery patients included, median follow-up was 4.4 years. There was a trend for improved locoregional control with surgery (74% vs 88%; p = .08). In the RT/CRT group the 3-year laryngectomy-free survival was 67%. The 2-year gastrostomy dependency rate was 23% with RT/CRT versus 6% with primary surgery (p = .07). Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was significantly lower in the RT/CRT versus primary surgery group (41% vs 70%; p < .01). Laryngeal preservation is achieved in over two thirds of patients with primary RT/CRT. Patients with low volume minimal cartilage involvement T4 disease may be best suited to RT/CRT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2035-E2040, 2016.

Vocal fold mobility as the main prognostic factor of treatment outcomes and survival in stage II squamous cell carcinomas of the glottic larynx.

This study aimed to assess the influence of supra- and subglottic extensions and vocal fold mobility on outcome in a large monocentric cohort of 148 patients treated for tumour-node-metastasis stage T2N0 glottic carcinomas. In all, 107 glottic carcinoma patients had normal vocal fold mobility (T2aN0), and 41 had impaired vocal fold mobility (T2bN0). Treatment decisions were made by a multidisciplinary team. Vocal fold mobility was associated with overall survival, disease-free survival, local control, larynx preservation and laryngectomy-free survival. For patients with T2a lesions, local control, laryngectomy-free survival and disease-free survival improved after surgery but overall survival did not. For patients with T2b lesions, local control, laryngectomy-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival were all higher after surgery than after radiotherapy. This study highlights for the first time the importance of vocal fold mobility in treatment outcomes and is the first to assess its influence on survival. Updated tumour-node-metastasis classifications should consider the distinction between T2a and T2b lesions.

Benefits and drawbacks of open partial horizontal laryngectomies, Part A: Early- to intermediate-stage glottic carcinoma.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 1.9% of cancers worldwide. Most of these are diagnosed in the early stages (T1-T2, and N0). For these, a larynx preserving/conserving option is preferable. Beyond transoral laser microsurgery (TLM), open partial horizontal laryngectomy is a function-sparing surgical technique used to treat laryngeal SCC. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 216 patients who underwent open partial horizontal laryngectomy for glottic cT2 laryngeal cancer. Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DFS), locoregional control, local control, laryngeal function preservation, and laryngectomy-free survival rates were 93.1%, 98.0%, 97.1%, 97.5%, 97.8%, and 98.5%, respectively. Disease controls were significantly affected by previous treatment and type of surgery used. Although TLM for cT2 laryngeal cancer with unimpaired vocal cord mobility still represents a sound option, open partial horizontal laryngectomy offers higher local control and laryngeal preservation rates for selected patients with impaired mobility of vocal cords combined with involvement of the paraglottic space. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E333-E340, 2016.

Benefits and drawbacks of open partial horizontal laryngectomies, Part B: Intermediate and selected advanced stage laryngeal carcinoma.

Cancer of the larynx in the intermediate/advanced stage still presents a major challenge in terms of controlling the disease and preserving the organ. Among therapeutic options, open partial horizontal laryngectomy is proposed as a function-sparing surgical technique. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of 555 patients with laryngeal cancer staged pT3 to pT4a who underwent open partial horizontal laryngectomy. Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control, local control, laryngectomy-free survival, and laryngeal function preservation rates were 84.6%, 84.2%, 86.3%, 90.6%, 93.3%, and 91.2%, respectively. DFS, locoregional control, and laryngeal function preservation rates were significantly affected by pT4a staging (68.1%, 71.7%, and 78.0%, respectively), whereas pN+ influenced only DFS (≤72.6%) and locoregional control (≤79.6%). Open partial horizontal laryngectomy with a modular approach can be considered effective in terms of prognostic and functional results in intermediate-stage and selected advanced-stage laryngeal cancers, even with subglottic extension. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E649-E657, 2016.

Secular trends in the survival of patients with laryngeal carcinoma, 1995-2007.

Recent reports suggest a decline over time in the survival of patients newly diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in spite of developments in treatment practices. Our study set out to determine whether the survival of patients with laryngeal cancer in Ontario has changed over time. This population-based cohort study of patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in the province of Ontario between 1995 and 2007 used data extracted from linked provincial administrative and registry databases. Its main outcomes were overall survival, laryngectomy-free survival, and survival ratio relative to an age- and sex-matched general population. The 4298 patients newly diagnosed with laryngeal cancer during the period of interest were predominantly men (n = 3615, 84.1%) with glottic cancer (n = 2787, 64.8%); mean age in the group was 66 years (interquartile range: 59-74 years). Patient demographics did not significantly change over time. Overall, 5-year survival was 57.4%; laryngectomy-free survival was 45.4%. Comparing patients from three eras (1995-1998, 1999-2003, 2004-2007) and adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity status, we observed no differences in overall survival or laryngectomy-free survival over time. The 5-year relative survival ratio for patients with laryngeal cancer compared with an age- and sex-matched group from the general population was 81.1% for glottic cancer and 44.5% for supraglottic cancer. In patients with a new diagnosis of laryngeal cancer, overall and laryngectomy-free survival have remained unchanged since the mid-1990s. New methods to improve survival and the rate of laryngeal preservation in this patient population are needed.

Audit of transoral laser-assisted microsurgical resection of early laryngeal cancer.

This study aimed to report our current practice of transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer against the standards outlined by the ENT UK Head and Neck Group and assess the oncological outcome. A retrospective review of case notes of patients diagnosed with early glottic cancer (tumour stages Tis, T1 and T2) who underwent transoral laser microsurgery as a primary curative treatment. The minimum follow-up period was two years. Thirty-one patients had transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer during the study period. Eighty-four per cent of cases were discussed by a multidisciplinary team prior to transoral laser microsurgery. Complete circumferential excision was achieved in 77 per cent of cases. Sixty-five per cent of specimens were subjected to histological analysis; they complied with standard pathology reporting for margins. Within 12 months of transoral laser microsurgery, there were 10 residual cases and 2 recurrences. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis gave disease-free survival rates of 96.8 per cent at 18 months and 93.5 per cent at 24 months. The laryngectomy-free survival rate was 96.8 per cent at two years. The findings of this audit are encouraging and have highlighted areas for further discussions, recommendations, training and education.

Definitive intensity modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced hypopharygeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: mature treatment results and patterns of locoregional failure.

PurposeTo assess clinical outcomes and patterns of loco-regional failure (LRF) in relation to clinical target volumes (CTV) in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HL-SCC) treated with definitive intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent systemic therapy.MethodsData from HL-SCC patients treated from 2007 to 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Primary endpoint was loco-regional control (LRC). Secondary endpoints included local (LC) and regional (RC) controls, distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), laryngectomy free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and acute and late toxicities. Time-to-event endpoints were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models. Recurrent gross tumor volume (RTV) on post-treatment diagnostic imaging was analyzed in relation to corresponding CTV (in-volume, > 95% of RTV inside CTV; marginal, 20–95% inside CTV; out-volume, < 20% inside CTV).ResultsFifty patients (stage III: 14, IVa: 33, IVb: 3) completed treatment and were included in the analysis (median follow-up of 4.2 years). Three-year LRC, DMFS and overall survival (OS) were 77%, 96% and 63%, respectively. Grade 2 and 3 acute toxicity were 38% and 62%, respectively; grade 2 and 3 late toxicity were 23% and 15%, respectively. We identified 10 patients with LRF (8 local, 1 regional, 1 local + regional). Six out of 10 RTVs were fully included in both elective and high-dose CTVs, and 4 RTVs were marginal to the high-dose CTVs.ConclusionThe treatment of locally advanced HL-SCC with definitive IMRT and concurrent systemic therapy provides good LRC rates with acceptable toxicity profile. Nevertheless, the analysis of LRFs in relation to CTVs showed in-volume relapses to be the major mode of recurrence indicating that novel strategies to overcome radioresistance are required.