Local Control after Radiation Therapy for T1-T2 Glottic Carcinoma

Kwon, Byung Hyun; Kim, Dong Won

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and problems of the primary radiation therapy and salvage surgery in a series of patients affected by T1-T2 NO glottic cancers treated from 1985 to 1991 at the Pusan National University Hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From 8.85 to 12/91, 34 patients affected by early glottic carcinoma histologically proven were treated with curative radiation therapy. Distribution of patients according to T stage was 30 for T1 and 4 T2. Male to female ratio was 33:1. Age of patients ranged from 31 to 73 with mean age of 58 years. All of the patients were treated with radical radiation with total tumor dose of 63-75. 3 Gy(median 68.2 Gy), of 5 weekly fractions of 1.8-2Gy and with 6MV photon beams through two laterally opposed fields.
RESULTS
The overall 5-year local control rates were 74%(8/30) for T1, and 25%(3/4) for T2. The main cause of failure was progression or recurrence in T(10/11). One failures were observed in T and N at the same time. Of these 11 patients, 9(81%) were salvaged with surgery. After surgical salvage of radiation failures, the 5-year survival rates were 96% for T1 and 75% T2. Among the survivors, 73% of T1 and 33% of T2 were able to preserve the larynx.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that radiotherapy is the first choice in the treatment of glottic T1 carcinoma.