Hanyang Med Rev.  2009 Aug;29(3):204-209. 10.7599/hmr.2009.29.3.204.

Advanced Laryngeal Cancer: Surgical and Non-surgical Management Options

• Kim KH

• KMID: 1505096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2009.29.3.204

Abstract

Until the early 1990s, the standard treatment for locally advanced laryngeal cancer was total laryngectomy. During the past 20 years, effort was made to save the larynx by using chemotherapy combined with radiation and there has been significant progression in survival and the preservation of the function of larynx in recent days. Now, the standard treatment option for advanced laryngeal cancer is changing from radical surgery to induction or concurrent chemoradiation and the surgery is mainly reserved for salvage operation. But, the quality of life after CCRT is sometimes unacceptable due to severe side effects and some prefer function preserving surgery. The decision for surgical or nonsurgical options needs to be made according to patient's wishes and quality of life goals from a multidisciplinary approach with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and head and neck surgeons. Chemoradiation therapy allows for nonsurgical management, but judicious use is recommended because the surgical salvage for failure is much more complicated.

Keyword

Laryngeal cancer; Organ preservation; Laryngectomy; Chemotherapy; Radiation

MeSH Terms

Drug Therapy
Head
Laryngeal Neoplasms*
Laryngectomy
Larynx
Neck
Organ Preservation
Quality of Life