The role of hemilaryngectomy in the management of T1 vocal cord cancer

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1989 Jun;115(6):677-80. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1989.01860300031011.

Abstract

A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the outcome of 54 patients who have elected to undergo vertical hemilaryngectomy for T1, NO squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. Fifty-one (94%) of 54 patients were cured with surgery alone. The voice was preserved in 52 (96%) of 54 patients. In the subgroup of patients who had received no prior radiation therapy, voice preservation was achieved in 98% of patients and ultimate control of disease with cure was achieved in 95%. These data substantiate the contention that vertical hemilaryngectomy offers better cure rates than external beam radiation therapy alone. Our data support the efficacy of hemilaryngectomy in T1, NO glottic carcinoma. These data question the traditional belief that surgery effects its success at the expense of voice preservation, whereas external beam radiation therapy does not.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Laryngectomy / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Vocal Cords*
  • Voice Quality