Treatment of T3 carcinoma of the larynx by surgery or radiotherapy

Abstract

T3 carcinoma of the larynx may be treated by surgery or by irradiation. A large number of oncologists feel that radical surgery offers a better chance of cure than does radiotherapy. We report a series of 147 patients with T3 N0 carcinoma of the larynx treated either by irradiation with salvage laryngectomy in the event of a recurrence, or by total laryngectomy. 109 patients had radiotherapy and 38 patients underwent surgery. The groups were well matched with no significant difference between the significant prognostic factors. The 5-year survival rate between the radiotherapy (70%) and surgery (40%) groups was significantly different (chi 2 = 4.48, d.f. = 1, P < 0.05). In spite of the well known problems associated with retrospective studies the present series suggests that radiotherapy combined with salvage surgery is an oncologically sound option for treating T3 laryngeal carcinoma.