Transoral laser microsurgery for carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.

Abstract

The study goal was to report the oncologic outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. A two-center prospective case series analysis. Thirty-eight patients underwent TLM for previously untreated carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx between 1997 and 2005. Pathological T stages were T1 in 8 (21%), T2 in 14 (37%), T3 in 8 (21%), and T4 in 8 (21%). Twenty-six patients (68%) had neck dissections. Thirteen patients (34%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. The mean follow-up for all patients was 31 months. The 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for local control were 97%; locoregional control, 94%; disease-specific survival, 80%; and overall survival, 85%. The overall functional laryngeal preservation rate was 79% (19 of 24). TLM is a safe and effective treatment for cancer of the supraglottic larynx. TLM is an emerging strategy in the management of laryngeal cancer.