Radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx: an alternative to surgery

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this article is to present the results of radiotherapy with or without neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx at the University of Florida and to compare these data with those obtained after conservation surgery.

Methods: Continuous-course radiotherapy alone or combined with a planned neck dissection was used to treat 209 patients with 211 supraglottic carcinomas between 1964 and 1992; all patients had follow-up for > or = 2 years.

Results: The 5-year rates of local control after radiotherapy were as follows: T1, 100%; T2, 83%; T3, 68%; and T4, 56%. Tumor volume, as calculated on pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scan, and vocal cord mobility influenced the likelihood of local control.

Conclusions: Based on our data and the literature, early or moderately advanced supraglottic carcinomas may be treated successfully with either supraglottic laryngectomy or radiotherapy. Supraglottic laryngectomy probably produces a higher initial local control rate but, based on anatomic and coexisting medical constraints, is suitable for a smaller subset of patients and has a higher risk of complications compared with radiotherapy.