[Endoscopic excisional biopsy with laser CO2 for the diagnosis and treatment of glottic carcinoma (T1-selected T2)]

Abstract

AIMS AND BACKGROUNDS: In T1-T2a glottic carcinoma before considering which type of treatment is the best option a biopsy is necessary. A peculiar aspect of this type of lesions is the fact that in the same specimen it is possible to find different grade of dysplasia even carcinoma in situ or microinvasive or invasive. An incisional biopsy could mislead the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to report the oncological results of the excisional biopsy for T1-T2a glottic cancer.

Materials and methods: From November 1999 to December 2001, 18 patients (13 T1, 5 T2a) with carcinoma of the vocal cord underwent excisional biopsy of the lesion. In the case of negative margins no further treatment was done. The average follow-up was 2 years and 3 months.

Results: Local control was achieved in 100% for T1, 80% for T2. Radiotherapy was added in 2 cases.

Conclusion: In our experience "excisional biopsy" for unadvanced glottic tumors is an ideal surgical technique for a one stage procedure of diagnosis and therapy.