Accelerated radiotherapy for T1 to T2 glottic cancer

Abstract

Background: Accelerated fractionation radiotherapy (RT) was administered in an attempt to improve the local control rates in patients with T1/T2 N0 glottic cancer.

Methods: Medical charts of 148 consecutive patients who had undergone RT using 2.4 Gray (Gy) once-daily fractionation between July 1999 and April 2007 were reviewed.

Results: Of 104 patients with T1 disease treated by RT, 82 received 60 Gy/25 fractions, and the remaining 22 with large tumor volumes and/or slow response to RT received 64.8 Gy/27 fractions. All 44 patients with T2 disease received 64.8 Gy/27 fractions. The 5-year local control and overall survival (OS) rates were 93% and 96%, respectively, in patients with T1 disease, and 77% and 91%, respectively, in patients with T2 disease. No severe acute toxicities were observed, although 2 patients (1%) developed severe late toxicity.

Conclusion: Accelerated RT for early glottic cancer is feasible, with encouraging local control rates.

Keywords: accelerated fractionation radiotherapy; adverse events; early glottic cancer; laryngeal preservation; local control.