Carbon dioxide laser cordectomy for verrucous carcinoma of vocal folds

Abstract

Background: Verrucous carcinoma occurs infrequently in the vocal folds. This tumour has an excellent prognosis with proper treatment. Management strategies include surgery, radiotherapy or both.

Aim: To evaluate the long-term results of type I and II laser cordectomy for the treatment of verrucous carcinoma of the vocal folds.

Materials and methods: We reviewed the files of 18 patients with verrucous carcinoma of the vocal folds treated by type I or II laser cordectomy in our department from 1989 to 2006, and recorded clinical and outcome data.

Results: None of the patients had any major post-operative complications. All had a subjectively satisfactory quality of voice, with no morbidity. Patient follow up ranged from three to 228 months (mean, 48 months). Five patients were treated with post-operative radiotherapy for persistent disease, of whom four underwent repeated surgery due to recurrence.

Conclusion: Type I or II laser cordectomy is a safe, feasible, secure method of treating verrucous carcinoma of the vocal folds. There were no major complications in our patient series. Most recurrent disease was manageable locally with repeated surgery.