Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer Research Articles

Transoral laser microsurgery for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after primary treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy and oncologic outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after previous treatment. A systematic search in PubMed was performed using mesh word for "laryngeal cancer," crossed with "recurrent," and "TLM." The primary endpoints, including overall survival (OS) rate, local control rate, and disease-specific survival (DSS) were summarized using RevMan software. Adverse events and complications were recorded if reported. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for main outcomes, including local control, 5-year OS, and DSS were 3.08 (95% confidential indexed [95% CI], 1.88-5.05), 2.29 (95% CI, 1.42-3.67), and 5.05 (95% CI, 2.75-9.27), respectively. The pooled OR for functional outcome, larynx preservation, was 3.82 (95% CI, 2.46-5.94), whereas the pooled risk difference of local recurrence was 45% (95% CI, 26-64%). It seems that TLM is an effective option for recurrent laryngeal cancer with regard to the high incidence of OS, local control, and especially organ preservation. However, more prospective studies are needed to confirm its efficiency.

Factors contributing to lymph node occult metastasis in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma cT2-T4 N0M0 and metastasis predictive equation.

To investigate factors that contribute to lymph node metastasis (LNM) from clinical cT2-T4 N0M0 (cN0) supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma (SLC), and to predict the risk of occult metastasis before surgery. A total of 121 patients who received surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Relevant factors regarding cervical LNM were analyzed. Multivariate analyses were conducted to predict the region where the metastasis occurred and prognosis. The overall metastatic rate of cN0 SLC was 28.1%. Metastatic rates were 15.4%, 32.5% and 35.7% for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Metastatic rates for SLC levels II, III and IV were 19.6%, 17.2% and 3.6%, respectively. A regression equation was formulated to predict the probability of metastasis in cN0 SLC as follows: Pn=e((-3.874+0.749T3+1.154T4+1.935P1+1.750P2))/[1+e((-3.874+0.749T3+1.154T4+1.935P1+1.750P2))]. Approximately 0.2% of patients experienced LNM with no recurrence of laryngeal cancer. Comparison of the intergroup survival curves between patients with and without LNM indicated a statistically significant difference (P=0.029). Cervical lymph node metastatic rates tended to increase in tandem with T stage in patients with LNM in cN0 SLC, and neck dissection is advised for these patients. Moreover, cervical LNM in cN0 SLC showed a sequential pattern and may be predicted.

Analyses of functional and oncologic outcomes following supracricoid partial laryngectomy.

To review the functional and oncologic outcomes of patients who received supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) or cricohyoidopexy (CHP) in our institution. A total of 208 patients who received SCPL with CHEP or CHP from our institution from 1995 to 2007 were involved. Among them, 190 cases were patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (T1-T4, N0-N2), 14 cases were patients with recurrent larynx cancer and 4 cases were patients with laryngeal stenosis. Forty-four patients also received unilateral neck dissection, and 41 patients received a bilateral neck dissection. All patients were assessed at functional outcome and complications of their treatment. Also, the oncologic outcomes, such as disease-specific survival, total survival, and local recurrence, were measured for patients with tumor. Decannulation was achieved in nearly all patients, with the average time to decannulation being 20 ± 11.52 days in CHEP patients and 28 ± 8.92 days in CHP patients (P < 0.05). The average nasogastric tubes were removed, days postoperation, was 18 ± 7.39 days in CHEP patients and 25 ± 13.87 days in CHP patients (P < 0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was 5.77%, the 5-year disease-specific survival was 82.7%, and the 5-year overall survival was 84.1%. The patients with CHEP had a better recovery than the patients with CHP. SCPL was a well-tolerated procedure with generally good functional outcomes for patients with advanced laryngeal cancer, also for some patients with laryngeal stenosis.

Swallowing Outcomes after Salvage Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives: Review the swallowing outcomes of patients undergoing salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at an academic practice in a regional referral center. Forty-one patients were identified with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx after definitive radiation therapy from 2001 to 2013. Twenty-seven patients had glottic recurrences while 14 had recurrences in the supraglottis. Swallowing outcomes were evaluated by the necessity for a gastrostomy tube and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Index (MDADI) questionnaire. Results: The mean value of patients with a preoperative MDADI was 78.25. The mean value of patients with a postoperative MDADI was 73.6. The mean change in patients who completed a pre- and postoperative MDADI was a decrease by 4.9 points. Seventeen patients required a gastrostomy tube either placed during radiation treatment or perioperatively to their TLM procedure. Thirteen gastrostomy tubes were removed, 2 gastrostomy tubes were still in place, and 2 patients died with their gastrostomy tubes in place. All living patients resumed a regular, nonmodified diet. Conclusions: TLM is a successful surgical option for recurrent laryngeal cancer with acceptable swallowing outcomes.

Management of cervical lymph nodes for cN0 advanced glottic laryngeal carcinoma and its long-term results

Conclusions: Cervical lymph node metastatic rates tend to increase by T stage in cN0 glottic laryngeal carcinoma (GLC). Moreover, cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) shows a sequential pattern according to the regions involved and LNM affects the prognosis. Objectives: To investigate factors that contribute to LNM of N0 (cN0) T2–T4 GLC and their effect on prognosis. Methods: A total of 212 GLC patients who had been admitted between December 2002 and January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. They included 202 men and 10 women, median age 58.6 years (range 29–85 years), whose identified tumor stages included T2 (n = 81), T3 (n = 67), and T4 (n = 64). Relevant factors of cervical LNM were analyzed; multivariate analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were carried out to predict the metastasis and prognosis. Results: The overall metastatic rate of N0 GLC was 14.6%. T staging and pathological classification were the risk factors for LNM. Metastatic rates for levels II, III, and IV were 10.2%, 14.6%, and 2.5%, respectively. Approximate 4.2% of patients experienced LNM with no recurrence of laryngeal cancer. Overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 85% and 80%, respectively, compared with 66% and 57%, respectively, among patients with LNM. The inter-group survival curve comparison was statistically significant (p = 0.012).

Transoral laser surgery for laryngeal cancer.

Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) was pioneered in the early 1970s as an approach to treat laryngeal pathology with precision and minimal thermal damage to the vocal cords. Over the last four decades, TLM has become an integral part of the treatment paradigm for patients with laryngeal cancer. TLM is one of the primary treatment options for early-stage laryngeal tumors. However, in recent years, surgeons have begun to develop TLM into a more versatile approach which can be used to address advanced laryngeal tumors. Although functional outcomes following TLM for advanced laryngeal disease are scarce, survival outcomes appear to be comparable with those reported for organ preservation strategies employing external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy. In addition, TLM plays an important role in the setting of recurrent laryngeal cancer following primary irradiation. TLM has been demonstrated to decrease the need for salvage total laryngectomy resulting in improved functionality while retaining comparable oncologic outcomes. The aim of this review is to elucidate the indications, techniques, and oncological outcomes of TLM for advanced laryngeal cancers.

Case of partial vertical laryngectomy with vocal cord reconstruction using a thyroid gland flap

To preserve laryngeal function in early-stage laryngeal cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are performed more often than surgery as initial treatment. However, in recurrent cases, complex salvage surgery is often required as patients who received aggressive chemoradiotherapy are susceptible to postoperative complications. We report here salvage therapy that preserved laryngeal function in a recurrent case. A 52-year-old man with recurrent laryngeal cancer (rT2N0M0) after chemoradiotherapy and followed by induction chemotherapy underwent partial vertical laryngectomy and right vocal cord reconstruction with a thyroid flap. Laryngeal functions were successfully preserved and the patient was discharged 2 months after surgery. The number of salvage surgeries performed after high-dose chemotherapy and radiation is expected to increase in the future. A thyroid gland flap promises to be an effective treatment option for vocal cord reconstruction especially for patients at high risk of postchemoradiotherapy complications.

The role of narrow band imaging in the detection of recurrent laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer after curative radiotherapy.

Narrow band imaging is considered a significant improvement in the possibility of detecting early mucosal lesion of the upper aerodigestive tract. Early detection of mucosal neoplastic lesions is of utmost importance for patients survival. There is evidence that, especially in patients previously treated by means of curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the early detection rate of recurrent disease is quite low. The aim of this study was to prove whether the videoendoscopy coupled with NBI might help detect recurrent or secondary tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. 66 patients previously treated by means of RT or CRT with curative intent were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent transnasal flexible videoendoscopy with NBI mode under local anesthesia. When a suspicious lesion was identified in an ambulatory setting, its nature was proved histologically. Many of these changes were not identifiable by means of conventional white light (WL) endoscopy. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the method are very high (88%, 92%, 76%, 96%, and 91%, resp.). Results demonstrate that outpatient transnasal endoscopy with NBI is an excellent method for the follow-up of patients with carcinomas of the larynx and the hypopharynx primarily treated with radiotherapy.

Occult nodal disease in patients with failed laryngeal preservation undergoing surgical salvage

The primary objective was to determine the incidence of pathologically positive lymph nodes in clinically N0 larynx cancer patients undergoing salvage surgery following nonsurgical primary therapy. Secondary aims included assessment of the impact of laryngeal subsite and neck dissection on disease status and survival. Retrospective chart review. Sixty-eight patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer and no evidence of neck disease who underwent salvage laryngectomy and neck dissection after undergoing failed primary radiotherapy or chemoradiation were examined. Main outcome measures included: standard demographics, primary, clinical, radiologic, and pathologic recurrent TNM stage, laryngeal subsite, nodal neck level, surgical intervention, margin status, disease status, survival, and imaging results. Fifty-three men and 15 women, aged 33 to 88 years (mean=62.7 years) with recurrent laryngeal cancer were included. Overall, 28.3% of patients had pathologic nodal disease, with supraglottic cancer showing the highest rate (60%, P=.02). Survival was not associated with laryngectomy type (P=.35). However, on multivariate analysis, laryngeal subsite was significantly predictive of survival with transglottic recurrences demonstrating decreased mean survival (20.7 months, P=.02), and supraglottic recurrences demonstrating prolonged mean survival (37.1 months, P=.03). Metabolic imaging (negative predictive value=0.86) proved more reliable than anatomic imaging (negative predictive value=0.71). The incidence of pathologically positive lymph nodes in clinically negative patients with recurrent laryngeal carcinoma following nonsurgical therapy warrants standard selective neck dissection. Subsite of recurrence, specifically supraglottis and transglottis, correlates with pathologic neck node positivity and survival. Metabolic imaging proved more reliable than anatomic imaging in negative predictability for nodal disease. 4.

Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy for Primary and Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer

Supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) is an essential technique in the armamentarium of modern laryngeal organ preservation surgery. OBJECTIVE, DESIGN, SETTING: Retrospective case series to review the oncologic outcomes following SCPL in a large US-based cohort treated by a single surgeon in a tertiary-care university hospital. A total of 96 consecutive patients with primary or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx undergoing SCPL from 1992 to 2010. Supracricoid partial laryngectomy surgery. Five-year local control and laryngeal preservation, using the Kaplan-Meier method. There were 54 primary laryngeal carcinomas and 42 previously treated with radiation to the larynx; 23% were supraglottic or transglottic tumors (n = 22). The overall 5-year local control rate for the series was 94%. For T2 and T3 primary tumors, the 5-year local control was 100% and 96%, respectively. In patients previously treated with radiation, the 5-year local control was 89%, with an 89% laryngeal preservation rate. Among stage III or IV primary laryngeal tumors for which concurrent chemoradiation was a treatment alternative, the 5-year local and locoregional control was 96% and 83%, respectively, and the 5-year larynx preservation was 91%. Ultimate local control was achieved for all patients in the series. A significant postoperative complication occurred in 19% (n = 18) and 1 anesthesia-related perioperative death occurred. No total laryngectomies were performed for laryngeal dysfunction. This series demonstrates excellent local control for both primary and recurrent laryngeal cancers, with functional larynx preservation. In appropriately staged and selected patients with T2 or T3 primary laryngeal cancer or laryngeal cancer following prior radiation treatment, SCPL should be considered as a treatment alternative to non-surgical treatment or total laryngectomy.

Outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery for recurrent head and neck cancer

To report our outcomes with salvage CO2 laser surgery following recurrence of laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy. This study entailed a prospective review of patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery for recurrent laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer between 2002 and 2010 at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre in Canada. Sixteen patients were identified, with a mean follow up of 30.6 months. Five patients died of recurrence. Complications were common in patients with oropharyngeal cancer. The overall survival and disease-free survival rates at an average of 29.8 months follow up were 50 per cent and 68.8 per cent respectively. Salvage surgery using transoral laser microsurgery should be considered in the management of patients with recurrent laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer. This technique offers acceptable salvage rates with less comorbidity than other treatments.

Ho: YAG Laser‐Application to Laryngeal Microsurgery

Objectives: The Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser can perform evaporation, incision, and coagulation simultaneously. It enables the treatment of target tissue only, making surgery less thermally damaging to surrounding tissue. It provides a different range and depth of evaporation depending on the distance between the laser fiber tip and the mucosa. Clinical cases are presented, and the potential for treatment of laryngeal diseases is discussed. Methods: We designed the following three ways of irradiation. 1) Non-contact irradiation: Evaporation occurs only at the mucosal surface. 2) Contact irradiation: When irradiated with light contact with the mucosa, the area of evaporation on the mucosal surface is smaller than in 1. 3) Shooting irradiation: When irradiated with pressing the tip of the fiber on the mucosa, only spots of evaporation are left on the mucosal surface. On the other hand, evaporation can be up to a depth of approximately 2 cm with irradiation for approximately 3 seconds. Results: Cases of hemorrhagic vocal cord polyp, laryngeal papillomatosis, and vocal cord cancer were presented. For evaporation of a narrow area and point evaporation, contact irradiation was suitable. Irradiation experiments on chickens showed that shooting irradiation can evaporate up to a depth of 2 to 3 cm despite the narrow area of evaporation at the shooting site. It is believed to have been proven by the experiences of treating patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer. Conclusions: Application of this technique to laryngeal surgery is expected.

Incidence of Occult Nodal Disease in Patients Treated with Salvage Laryngectomy with Radiologically Negative Neck

Objectives: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines address neck dissection in the setting of primary tumor treatment but do not provide a clear guideline for negative nodal disease in recurrent advanced laryngeal cancer. We often extrapolate the indication of neck dissection for recurrent disease based on the guidelines of primary disease. It is controversial whether there is a survival benefit for patients with clinically and radiologically negative (N0) necks to receive a neck dissection versus conservative management. This study aims to determine survival outcomes and incidence of post-operative complications in patients who underwent neck dissection at the time of salvage laryngectomy with clinically and radiologically negative neck. Methods: Single institution case series at a tertiary care university hospital. We identified 424 cases of total laryngectomy between 2000-2010.We reviewed the subset of N0 patients who had salvage laryngectomy and divided them into neck dissection versus conservative management. We reviewed demographic variables, final pathological stage of dissected neck specimen, and post-operative course and survival. Results: Patients who had a neck dissection at salvage laryngectomy with clinically N0 disease as compared to those treated conservatively may have no significant difference in survival; there may be a significant difference in the complication rate and perioperative mortality rate between the two groups. Conclusions: The data reviewed in this large series of patients will be useful for clinicians to determine the survival and complications that are frequently experienced by patients following neck dissection with salvage laryngectomy in the setting of previous radiation.

Surgical options in radiotherapy-failed early glottic cancer

After failure of curative radiotherapy (RT), surgery is the main therapeutic option to control recurrent laryngeal cancer. Recurrences after RT for T1-T2 tumours of the glottic larynx are often diagnosed at a more severe stage than the original disease and, thus, usually treated by radical approaches. Our aim is to investigate the feasibility of more conservative strategies for proper treatment of post-RT recurred glottic cancer. We collected and reviewed our files from 1990 to 2006, selecting 75 patients which matched the following inclusion criteria: (1) patient was originally diagnosed with early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx (stage I-II according to 2010 TNM), (2) patient was treated by RT with curative intent, (3) patient presented a recurrence of disease after RT which was surgically treated at our Institution. T stage at first diagnosis was T1a in 41 cases (55%), T1b in 12 (16%) and T2 in 22 (29%). At clinical examination of RT-recurred lesions, we documented advanced lesions (rT3-rT4) in 29 out of 75 patients (39%). Overall, an upstage was reported for 56% RT-recurred cancers, while 37.3% remained at the same stage than the original tumour and 6.7% were downstaged. Twelve patients (16%) underwent salvage partial laryngectomy (SPL), while 63 (84%) received a salvage total laryngectomy (STL). Multivariate analysis showed that rTNM according to the AJCC-UICC of 2010 was the only prognostic factor for both disease-free survival (p = 0.042) and overall survival (p = 0.004). Considering the prognostic impact of rT and rN we documented a statistical significance only in terms of overall survival for both factors (p = 0.004 and p = 0.04, respectively). Although STL remains the most frequent treatment choice for failures after RT in laryngeal carcinomas, SPL represents a valid option for selected patients with limited recurrence and can deliver good oncologic and functional results if performed according to careful indications.

Clinical analysis of relevant factors causing postoperative recurrence of laryngeal cancer after partial laryngectomy

To discuss the clinical relevant factors causing recurrence and failure of laryngeal cancer after partial laryngectomy. The clinical data of 183 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent partial laryngectomy from January 2005 to July 2009 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. 12 selected factors which might cause recurrence including sex, age, smoking condition, drinking condition, laryngeal cancer type, T stage, N stage, clinical stage, pathological grade, mode of operation, radiotherapy and margin status were analyzed. In the 183 patients, 37 cases were recurrence, the recurrence rate was 20.2%, 3-year survival rate was 83.1%, and 5-year-expected survival rate was 71.8%. Seven factors, i.e. T stage, N stage, pathological grades, surgical margins, radiotherapy, drinking and smoking condition were associated with recurrence after partial laryngectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that drinking condition, surgical margins, adjuvant radiotherapy and pN stage were the main factors affecting the prognosis of patients with partial laryngectomy, and they all were risk factors. Simple surgical treatment of early laryngeal cancer alone can achieve satisfactory therapeutic effect. However, multidisciplinary treatment mode of the operation combined with radiotherapy should be considered for patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma and positive surgical margins.

Salvage Laryngectomy in Patients with Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer in the Setting of Nonoperative Treatment Failure

To investigate the effectiveness of salvage partial and total laryngectomy in the treatment of recurrent laryngeal cancer in the setting of initial nonoperative treatment failure and to identify factors influencing long-term survival. Case series with planned chart review. Tertiary medical center. Patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx initially treated with either radiation or chemoradiation, who underwent salvage laryngectomy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1997 to 2011, were identified. The cohort was divided into an early-stage group and an advanced-stage group based on initial tumor staging. Survival outcome was evaluated separately in each group against tumor staging, methods of treatment, and nodal status. Secondary endpoints of speech and swallowing were also evaluated. A total of 100 patients were identified, with 72 patients in the early-stage group and 28 patients in the advanced-stage group. The overall postsalvage locoregional control rate was 70%, and the 5-year disease-specific survival was 70% and 55.2% in the early and advanced group, respectively (P = .39). The 5-year disease-specific survival was not significant in either group when compared with recurrent staging, initial treatment, salvage treatment, or nodal disease (P = ns). Using voice prostheses, good to excellent speech function was achieved postoperatively in most patients. Tumor staging, methods of initial and salvage treatment, and nodal disease were not significant predictors of survival. Both salvage partial and total laryngectomy were effective methods in the treatment of recurrent laryngeal cancer in carefully selected patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography findings for patients undergoing salvage total laryngectomy

Conclusions: Computed tomography (CT) imaging has clear limitations for the diagnosis of cartilage invasion or tumor spread in recurrent laryngeal cancer. Alternative methods of pretreatment assessment are needed for recurrent laryngeal cancer. Objectives: The diagnosis and staging of recurrent laryngeal cancer, previously treated by radiation therapy (RT), remains challenging. Practically, surgeons need to depend on imaging to predict which patients will have a chance for conservation salvage laryngectomy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the accuracy of preoperative CT performed for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma evaluation following RT. Methods: This retrospective review identified 32 patients who underwent salvage total laryngectomy after RT from 1998 to 2010. For our radiologic classification of the thyroid cartilage, we analyzed the conditions as normal, sclerosis, invasion, penetration, and extralaryngeal spread and categorized the state of the arytenoids and cricoid into three possible conditions: normal, sclerosis, and destruction. Radiographic findings were correlated with pathology findings. Results: Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the thyroid cartilage infiltration were 57% and 94%, 50% and 89% for the cricoid cartilage, and 33% and 76% for arytenoid cartilage, respectively. The accuracy of recurrent tumor classification was 59.4%. Three carcinomas were over-staged and 10 were under-staged.

Transoral robotic total laryngectomy

Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard of care in many organ systems. Head and neck surgery has incorporated transoral surgery, either laser microsurgery or robotic resection, in the management of pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. To date, the laryngeal procedures have taken the form of partial laryngectomy, as transoral approaches have not allowed reconstruction following total laryngectomy. We present the first series of transoral total laryngectomies. Multinational, multi-institutional prospective consecutive case series. Case series of completed and attempted transoral robotic surgery (TORS) total laryngectomy performed under an institutional review board protocol. The procedure was developed in the cadaver laboratory and applied to selected individuals requiring total laryngectomy for recurrent laryngeal cancer or post-therapeutic organ dysfunction. TORS total laryngectomy was successfully performed in five patients and was unsuccessful in two others. Two of the patients had postoperative fistulae, and all seven are without evidence of recurrent cancer and are swallowing orally without gastrostomy supplementation. TORS total laryngectomy is feasible and can be taught to other surgeons. Potential benefits of this approach are present for patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy and include improved wound healing and functional results. This procedure further extends the applications of robotic head and neck surgery.

Sedation with Dexmedetomidine during Tracheostomy in Severe Tracheal Stenotic Patients

In patients with severely compromised airways, a tracheostomy is usually performed under local anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine can be a better choice of sedative for such patients because it causes minimal respiratory depression. We report two cases of patients with severe stenosis of the airways who underwent sedation with dexmedetomidine during tracheostomy under local anesthesia. In the first case, recurrent laryngeal cancer caused laryngeal stenosis, and the narrowest laryngeal width was less than 3 mm. In the second case, the tracheostomy opening site was narrowed to a diameter of 3.4 mm in a patient with a history of total laryngectomy. For both patients, sedation was induced by dexmedetomidine infusion and the tracheostomy was performed successfully under local anesthesia without any events. Dexmedetomidine seems to be an effective and safe sedative for tracheostomies in patients with critical airways. The management and implications of sedation with dexmedetomidine in the patients with severe stenotic airways are discussed.

Sentinel node identification in laryngeal cancer: Feasible in primary cancer with previously untreated neck

With the current diagnostic techniques a considerable percentage of occult lymph node metastases are missed in the clinically negative (cN0) neck. Therefore, in patients with laryngeal cancer and cN0 neck a total laryngectomy is usually combined with elective neck dissection. Based on the risk of occult lymph node metastases the decision whether to perform a neck dissection or not is difficult. In recurrent laryngeal cancer or second primary tumors previous treatment possibly influences lymphatics and metastatic behavior. In this pilot study we investigated the feasibility of sentinel node (SN) identification and potential accuracy of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in laryngeal cancer patients undergoing total laryngectomy with elective neck dissection. Patients with cN0 laryngeal cancer were included. During surgery 40MBq (99m)Technetium labeled Nanocolloid was endoscopically injected around the tumor. Lymphoscintigraphy was not performed. We identified the sentinel node (SN) ex vivo in the neck dissection specimen with a gammaprobe. Histopathological examination of the neck dissection specimen served as reference test. We included 19 patients, 13 patients with untreated necks and six with prior neck treatment. SN identification was successful in 68.4% (13/19) of patients, and significantly higher in patients with untreated necks (92.3% versus 16.7%, p<0.01). Four of 13 (30.7%) patients would potentially be upstaged by SNB. Sensitivity and negative predictive value would have been 80.0% and 87.5%, respectively. With the current methodology, SN identification in laryngeal cancer patients undergoing total laryngectomy is feasible in patients with untreated necks. Further studies are needed to determine the exact accuracy of SNB in total laryngectomy patients.