Partial laryngectomy for early laryngeal cancer: A 25-year experience

Abstract

Introduction. Partial laryngectomy and radiotherapy are good alternatives for early laryngeal cancer, as they are similar in both survival rate and laryngeal preservation. Aim. The first author‘s 25-year experience on this subject is described. Material and method. Retrospective review of early laryngeal cancer patients treated between 1980 and 2005. History, type of treatment, tumor histology, complications and survival rates are analyzed. Results. A total of 96 patients is included, with an average age of 58 years. The most frequent histological type was epidermoid carcinoma (92%). 53% of patients had partial laryngectomy, and 47% had radiotherapy. Most patients had a fronto-lateral laryngectomy (68%), and the most frequent complications were granulomas (16%) and failure of tracheostoma closure (16%). Four radiotherapy patients and one that underwent surgery had recurrences. Present survival rate is 91% for radiotherapy and 100% for partial laryngectomy. Treatment results with and without anterior comissure involvement are presented. Discussion and conclusions. Our experience with both treatment alternatives is comparable to that reported in the literature, with similar complications. New techniques must be compared with those currently used, taking into account local reality, and the therapeutic decision is still an informed agreement between the treating physician and the patient.