Randomized trial of induction chemotherapy in larynx carcinoma

Abstract

We conducted a randomized study in patients with previously untreated advanced (T3) larynx carcinoma to compare total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy to induction chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy in good responders, and by total laryngectomy plus radiotherapy in poor responders. A total of 68 patients were included in the study, 36 in the induction chemotherapy group and 32 in the no chemotherapy group. 15 of the 36 patients in the induction chemotherapy group did not have a laryngectomy. Survival and disease-free survival were significantly worse in the induction chemotherapy group than in the no chemotherapy group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.02, respectively). The 2-year survival rates were 69% in the induction chemotherapy group and 84% in the no chemotherapy group. Larynx preservation for patients, selected on the basis of having responded to induction chemotherapy, cannot be considered a standard treatment at the present time.