Controversies in the management of laryngeal cancer: results of an international survey of patterns of care

Too Deep: The Rate of Inappropriate Deep Resections while Practicing a Single Stage Laser Cordectomy

OBJECTIVE

Whenever a cortectomy is indicated, obviating preoperative biopsy and practicing a single-stage-laser-cordectomy (SSLC) may expedite treatment and preserve surgical planes. This may result in more superficial resections and improved vocal function. Yet, SSLC holds a risk for over-treating nonmalignant lesions. Our study aims to evaluate this risk.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent SSLC. Cordectomy types were compared with final pathology. Type-1 cordectomy was subcategorized into superficial-type-1 (superficial-lamina-propria preserved) and deep-type-1 (ligament exposed). Superficial-type-1 cordectomy was considered adequate for epithelial lesions not invading the basement membrane: nonmalignant, dysplasia, and carcinoma-in-situ (CIS). Deeper resections for these pathologies were considered inappropriately deep. All resections were considered appropriate for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients who underwent 139 SSLC were included. SCC was found in 30% (N = 42), CIS/severe-dysplasia in 15% (N = 21), mild/moderate-dysplasia in 23% (N = 32), nondysplastic lesions in 31% (N = 43), and lymphoma in 0.5% (N = 1). Superficial-type-1 cordectomy was performed in 64% (N = 89). Altogether, 15 lesions (11%) underwent inappropriately deep resections. Smoking history, current smoking status, prior glottic surgery, radiation or fungal infection, did not increase the rate of inappropriate deep resection. While the general rate of inappropriately deep resection is 11%, for deep-type-1 cordectomy or deeper the rate was 29.4%. The highest rate was associated with deep-type-1 cordectomy, reaching 52.9%.

CONCLUSION

The general rate of inappropriately deep resection during a SSLC is low. However, when the depth of resection involves exposure of the vocal ligament or deeper, the rate increases. Hence, to avoid unnecessary morbidity, whenever a deep resection is considered, the authors recommend preceding a deeper resection with frozen section sampling.

Eugene Nicholas Myers' Lecture on Head and Neck Cancer, 2020: The Surgeon as a Prognostic Factor in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery

This paper is a transcript of the 29 th Eugene N. Myers, MD International Lecture on Head and Neck Cancer presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) in 2020. By the end of the 19 th century, the survival rate in treated patients was 10%. With the improvements in surgical techniques, currently, about two thirds of patients survive for > 5 years. Teamwork and progress in surgical reconstruction have led to advancements in ablative surgery; the associated adjuvant treatments have further improved the prognosis in the last 30 years. However, prospective trials are lacking; most of the accumulated knowledge is based on retrospective series and some real-world data analyses. Current knowledge on prognostic factors plays a central role in an efficient treatment decision-making process. Although the influence of most tumor- and patient-related prognostic factors in head and neck cancer cannot be changed by medical interventions, some environmental factors-including treatment, decision-making, and quality-can be modified. Ideally, treatment strategy decisions should be taken in dedicated multidisciplinary team meetings. However, evidence suggests that surgeons and hospital volume and specialization play major roles in patient survival after initial or salvage head and neck cancer treatment. The metrics of surgical quality assurance (surgical margins and nodal yield) in neck dissection have a significant impact on survival in head and neck cancer patients and can be influenced by the surgeon's expertise. Strategies proposed to improve surgical quality include continuous performance measurement, feedback, and dissemination of best practice measures.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of T1 glottic cancer outcomes comparing CO2 transoral laser microsurgery and radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to compare the oncologic outcomes of CO₂ transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of T1 glottic carcinoma.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in the following databases: Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Search results were screened, and publications comparing oncologic outcomes of T1N0M0 glottic carcinoma treated with TLM or RT were included. Data was extracted independently by two authors, and publication quality was graded according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. Meta-analysis was performed for overall survival, disease specific survival, laryngeal preservation, and local control.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, the majority being retrospective cohort studies with two prospective cohort studies. Included studies were rated as either Level II or III evidence. Meta-analysis favoured treatment with TLM for T1 glottic carcinoma patients for the following outcomes: overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-2.14; P = 0.02), disease specific survival (OR, 2.70; CI, 1.32-5.54; P = 0.007), and laryngeal preservation (OR, 6.31; CI, 3.77-10.56; P < 0.00001). There was no difference in local control between TLM and RT in T1 glottic cancer (OR, 1.19; CI, 0.79-1.81; P = 0.40).

DISCUSSION

Our study provides a current and thorough comparison of TLM and RT outcomes in T1 glottic carcinoma. Limitations of our study include lack of randomized control trials, and non-randomized allocation of patients to treatment groups. Our meta-analysis suggests that TLM is the superior modality in terms of overall survival, disease specific survival, and laryngeal preservation. Future prospective randomized controlled studies are required for confirming these findings and developing appropriate clinical practice guidelines.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2A; as per the Centre of Evidence Based Medicine.

Prognostic Factors in Early Glottic Carcinoma Implications for Treatment

Aim

In this study we aimed to determine the prognostic factors affecting local control (LC) in limited glottic carcinoma treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT).

Material and methods

Between June 1991 and December 2001, 114 patients with early squamous-cell carcinoma of the glottis were treated with definitive RT at our institution. Only four (3.5%) patients were women. The median age was 60 (27-79). Fifteen percent, 72% and 13% of the patients had Tis, T1 and T2 tumors, respectively. Forty-three (37.7%) patients had anterior commissure invasion. Prior to RT 35 (31%) patients had undergone vocal cord stripping and two (2%) cordectomy. A median dose of 66 Gy (50-70.2) was given over a median period of 46 days (20-60). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for LC. The prognostic parameters analyzed for LC were T classification, anterior commissure involvement, total RT dose, and overall treatment time.

Results

Five-year local and regional control rates were 84.2% and 97.7%. RTOG grade 3-4 late side effects were observed only in one (0.9%) patient. In 15 patients with local failure, salvage treatment consisted of partial laryngectomy in eight patients and total laryngectomy in five. One of the remaining two patients was medically inoperable, and the other refused salvage surgery. In one of the three patients with regional failure, salvage surgery was applied and the other two were given palliative chemotherapy because of unresectable disease. Following salvage treatments, the ultimate five-year LC rate was 96.9% and the five-year larynx preservation rate was 91.1%. Second primary cancer was diagnosed in 17 (14.9%) patients. Only one patient developed distant metastases and two patients died of laryngeal cancer. While T2 disease and anterior commissure involvement were found to be unfavorable prognostic factors significantly influencing LC in univariate analyses, only T2 disease remained independent in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

In patients with early glottic carcinoma, T classification proved to be the only independent prognostic factor affecting LC after primary radiotherapy according to the results of this study.

Voice outcomes for early laryngeal cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Treatment options for early laryngeal cancer are well established with good local control and 5-year survival. The commonest treatments are radiotherapy or transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). There are advantages and disadvantages of the different modalities, but debate continues regarding the voice outcomes posttreatment. This review will focus on early glottic carcinoma and voice outcomes following the different treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS

TLM and radiotherapy are both likely to affect voice quality, but the extent of voice change depends on different factors. These factors can be divided into patient, tumour and treatment factors. Recent meta-analyses data show similar voice outcomes for either modality in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma. However, larger tumours and those involving the anterior commissure are associated with worse voice outcomes.

SUMMARY

There are various considerations for the patient and clinician before deciding on the preferred treatment for early glottic carcinoma. Although both TLM and radiotherapy will affect voice outcomes, the recent meta-analyses show similar voice outcomes for either modality in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma. There are numerous variables in the published studies hindering direct comparisons. These include heterogeneous patient groups, different treatment standardization and methods of voice analysis.

Cetuximab and Radiotherapy in Laryngeal Preservation for Cancers of the Larynx and Hypopharynx: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

The appropriate use of surgery or radiotherapy-based approaches for organ preservation has been the subject of much debate. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of improvement in overall survival for patients with laryngeal carcinoma in the last 30 years.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the rates of laryngeal preservation and laryngectomy-free survival in patients receiving cetuximab and radiotherapy (CRT) and patients receiving radiotherapy alone.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Patients were enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, stratified, randomized, phase 3 study from April 1, 1999, through March 31, 2002, from 73 centers in the United States and 14 other countries. A secondary subgroup analysis of patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma was undertaken. Rates of laryngeal preservation and laryngectomy-free survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Quality of life was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire and head and neck module.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Laryngeal preservation and laryngectomy-free survival.

RESULTS

Of the 424 patients included in the trial, 168 treated patients with cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx were included in this analysis (90 in the CRT group and 78 in the radiotherapy alone group). The median (range) age of the patients was 59 (40-80) years in the CRT group and 61 (35-81) years in the radiotherapy alone group. In the CRT group, 72 patients (80.0%) were male and 18 (20.0%) were female. In the radiotherapy alone group, 62 (79.5%) were male and 16 (20.5%) were female. The rates of laryngeal preservation at 2 years were 87.9% for CRT vs 85.7% for radiotherapy alone, with an HR of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.23-1.42; P = .22). Similarly, the HR for laryngectomy-free survival comparing CRT vs radiotherapy alone was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.54-1.11; P = .17). This study was not powered to assess organ preservation. Median overall survival was 27 (95% CI, 20-45) vs 21 (95% CI, 17-35) months for the CRT and radiotherapy alone groups, respectively, with an HR of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.60-1.27). No differences between treatments were reported regarding overall quality of life, need for a feeding tube, or speech.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The results of a possible cetuximab-related laryngeal preservation benefit for patients with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer are intriguing; these results need to be interpreted in the context of a retrospective subset analysis with limited sample size.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00004227.

Radiotherapy Versus Cordectomy in the Management of Early Glottic Cancer

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of definitive radiotherapy (RT) with cordectomy in patients with early glottic cancer.

Materials and Methods

A total of 165 patients who were diagnosedwith T1/2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx between January 2006 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 112 patients received RT and 53 patients received cordectomy. Local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and larynx preservation rates after RT and cordectomy were investigated.

Results

The median follow-up period was 77.7 months (range, 10.7 to 127.0 months). The 3- and 5-year LC rates were 91.9% and 89.9%, respectively, for the RT group, and 82.8% and 73.2%, respectively, for the cordectomy group (p=0.006). The 3- and 5-year DFS rates were 87.5% and 83.7%, respectively, for the RT group and 79.2% and 68.0%, respectively, for the cordectomy group (p=0.046). No significant differences were identified in the 5-year OS (92.8% vs. 90.6%, p=0.713) or larynx preservation rates (98.2% vs. 97.2%, p=0.831) between groups. The major failure pattern was local failure (n=26), followed by regional (n=3) and distant failure (n=2). Multivariate analysis of LC showed that T2 stage (p=0.012) and receiving cordectomy as initial treatment (p=0.001) were significantly associated with poorer LC.

Conclusion

RT resulted in higher rates of LC and DFS compared to cordectomy for early glottic cancer. Treatment with radiotherapy is feasible and should be encouraged for both T1 and T2 glottic cancer.

Pattern of failure in 5001 patients treated for glottic squamous cell carcinoma with curative intent - A population based study from the DAHANCA group

PURPOSE

To describe the pattern of failure in a national consecutive cohort of patients with glottic squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) with curative intent over a 41-year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients undergoing curative treatment for a glottic SCC diagnosed in Denmark between 1971 and 2011 were included and followed from the first contact with the oncology center to death or February 15, 2015.

RESULTS

5001 patients were identified of whom 98% had primary RT. The median follow-up was 9.1 years/5.7 years (patients alive/patients who died). Ten patients were lost to follow-up. In total 1511 failures were observed; of these 93%, 11% and 5% included T site, N site, and M site, respectively. For patients diagnosed in the 70s and the 00s, respectively, the five-year incidences were: local failure (32% vs 19%), loco-regional failure (34% vs 21%), laryngectomy (26% vs 10%), laryngectomy-free survival (48% vs 62%), disease-free survival (62% vs 68%), and overall survival (62% vs 68%). The five-year incidence of ultimate failure (13-16%) remained statistically unchanged.

CONCLUSION

From the 70s to the 00s a continually improving primary disease-control was observed with a concurrent decrease in the incidence of laryngectomy. The survival rate was significantly higher in the 00s compared to the previous three decades.

Radiotherapy versus open surgery versus endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) for early laryngeal squamous cell cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 2, 2002 and previously updated in 2004, 2007 and 2010.Radiotherapy, open surgery and endolaryngeal excision (with or without laser) are all accepted modalities of treatment for early-stage glottic cancer. Case series suggest that they confer a similar survival advantage, however radiotherapy and endolaryngeal surgery offer the advantage of voice preservation. There has been an observed trend away from open surgery in recent years, however equipoise remains between radiotherapy and endolaryngeal surgery as both treatment modalities offer laryngeal preservation with similar survival rates. Opinions on optimal therapy vary across disciplines and between countries.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of open surgery, endolaryngeal excision (with or without laser) and radiotherapy in the management of early glottic laryngeal cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2014, Issue 8); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 18 September 2014.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing open surgery, endolaryngeal resection (with or without laser) and radiotherapy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified only one randomised controlled trial, which compared open surgery and radiotherapy in 234 patients with early glottic laryngeal cancer. The overall risk of bias in this study was high.For T1 tumours, the five-year survival was 91.7% following radiotherapy and 100% following surgery and for T2 tumours, 88.8% following radiotherapy and 97.4% following surgery. There were no significant differences in survival between the two groups.For T1 tumours, the five-year disease-free survival rate was 71.1% following radiotherapy and 100.0% following surgery, and for the T2 tumours, 60.1% following radiotherapy and 78.7% following surgery. Only the latter comparison was statistically significant (P value = 0.036), but statistical significance would not have been achieved with a two-sided test.Data were not available on side effects, quality of life, voice outcomes or cost.We identified no randomised controlled trials that included endolaryngeal surgery. A number of trials comparing endolaryngeal resection and radiotherapy have terminated early because of difficulty recruiting participants. One randomised controlled trial is still ongoing.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is only one randomised controlled trial comparing open surgery and radiotherapy but its interpretation is limited because of concerns about the adequacy of treatment regimens and deficiencies in the reporting of the study design and analysis.

Impact of initial tumor volume on radiotherapy outcome in patients with T2 glottic cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of initial tumor volume (TV) on radiotherapy (RT) outcome in patients with T2 glottic cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initial TV was calculated for 115 consecutive patients with T2 glottic cancer who had been treated with definitive RT alone at a single institution.

RESULTS

The results showed strong correlations of TV with 3-year local tumor control (LTC) and disease-free survival (DFS). For TV ≤ 0.7 cm(3), 3-year LTC was 83%; for TV 0.7-3.6 cm(3) this was 70% and for TV 3.6-17 cm(3) 44%. Analysis of total dose vs. initial TV showed that larger T2 glottic tumors with a TV of around 5 cm(3) (2-2.5 cm in diameter with 10(10) cancer cells) need an extra 6.5 Gy to achieve similar 3-year LTC rates as for small tumors with a TV of 0.5 cm(3) (~1 cm in diameter with 10(9) cancer cells).

CONCLUSION

Although classification of tumors according to TV cannot replace TNM staging in daily practice, it could represent a valuable numerical supplement for planning the optimal dose fractionation scheme for individual patients.

Role of endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) versus radiotherapy in the management of early (T1) glottic cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Treatment options for early glottic cancer include transoral microsurgery or radiotherapy (RT). There is continuing debate about which is the superior treatment.

METHODS

The literature was searched from 1996 to 2011 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. A quality assessment of each included study was conducted and reported.

RESULTS

There is no evidence in favor of 1 treatment modality when considering likelihood of local control or overall survival. There is a suggestion that RT may be associated with less measureable perturbation of voice as compared to surgery, but no significant differences were seen in patient perception. The likelihood of laryngeal preservation may be higher when surgery can be offered as initial treatment.

CONCLUSION

For patients with early (T1) glottic cancer, treatment options include the equally effective endolaryngeal surgery, with or without laser, or radiation therapy. The choice between treatment modalities should be based on patient and clinician preferences and general medical condition.

Risk factors for voice quality after radiotherapy for early glottic cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the majority of patients irradiated for early glottic cancer an abnormal voice was reported. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing voice quality after radiotherapy for T1 glottic cancer.

METHODS

The voices of 75 male patients irradiated for T1 glottic carcinoma were assessed subjectively and objectively by acoustic analyses and aerodynamic measurements. The laryngeal function and morphology were evaluated by videolaryngostroboscopy. The data on smoking habits, the associated diseases influencing voice quality, the extent of the tumor, the type of biopsy, and the irradiation technique were collected from the medical records. The data on the factors influencing voice quality were compared for patients with a normal/near-normal voice and those with a hoarse voice.

RESULTS

Voice quality was at least slightly abnormal in 94.7% and 81.3% of patients, when assessed perceptively and objectively, respectively. Smoking after the completed treatment, more severe morphologic alterations of the vocal folds, dryness of the throat, incomplete closure of the vocal folds and functional voice disorders expressed as supraglottic activity adversely influenced the voice quality. A good correlation between the perceptive voice assessment and the acoustic analyses was established.

CONCLUSIONS

After the successful irradiation for T1 glottic carcinoma, the great majority of the patients have at least a slightly hoarse voice. A better voice outcome could be achieved if radiotherapy was followed by the patient's cessation of smoking and the appropriate voice therapy.

Why should disorders of the ear, nose and throat be treated by the same specialty? Can this situation persist?

The surgical specialty of otorhinolaryngology has its origins in the nineteenth century. Subsequently, the specialty also incorporated allied disciplines such as plastics and head and neck surgery. Following World War II, the survival of the specialty was threatened by the advent of antibiotics and the rise of the general surgeon. Despite this, the specialty of ENT was strengthened by strong post-war leadership and robust training.Today, with ENT knowledge ever increasing, the subspecialties have again begun to subdivide. Specialisation brings improved efficiency and outcomes; however, there remains a great need for the ENT generalist. Not all cases require subspecialist attention, and the generalist remains the basis of competent emergency cover. The natural development of otorhinolaryngology has brought the invaluable synergistic knowledge required to comprehensively treat disorders of the ear, nose and throat, knowledge that must not be overlooked when shaping the future of the specialty.

Compromised local control due to treatment interruptions and late treatment breaks in early glottic cancer: Population-based outcomes study supporting need for intensified treatment schedules

PURPOSE

This population-based study describes the treatment of early glottic cancer in Ontario, Canada and assesses whether treatment variations were associated with treatment effectiveness.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We studied 491 T1N0 and 213 T2N0 patients. Data abstracted from charts included age, sex, stage, treatment details, disease control, and survival.

RESULTS

The total dose ranged from 50 to 70 Gy, and the daily dose ranged from 1.9 to 2.8 Gy. In 90%, treatment duration was between 25 and 50 days. Field sizes, field reductions, beam arrangement, and beam energy varied. Late treatment breaks occurred in 13.6% of T1N0 and 27.1% of T2N0 cases. Local control was comparable to other reports for T1N0 (82% at 5 years), but was only 63.2% in T2N0. Variables associated with local failure in T1N0 were age less than 49 years (relative risk [RR], 3.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-6.90) and >3 treatment interruption days (RR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.00-5.91). In T2N0, these were field reduction (RR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.23-4.42) and late treatment breaks (RR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.09-4.41).

CONCLUSION

Some aspects of treatment for early glottic cancer were associated with worse local control. Problems with protracted treatment are of particular concern, underscoring the need for randomized studies to intensify radiotherapy.

Radical radiotherapy for early glottic cancer: Results in a series of 1087 patients from two Italian radiation oncology centers. II. The case of T2N0 disease

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate local control rates, late damage incidence, functional results, and second-tumor occurrence according to the different patient, tumor, and treatment features in a large bi-institutional series of T2 glottic cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 256 T2 glottic cancer cases treated consecutively with radical intent at the Florence University Radiation Oncology Department (FLO) and at the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Brescia, Istituto del Radio "O. Alberti" (BS) were studied. Cumulative probability of local control (LC), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated and compared in the different clinical and therapeutic subgroups by both univariate and multivariate analysis. Types of relapse and their surgical salvage were evaluated, along with the functional results of treatment. Late-damage incidence and second-tumor cumulative probability (STP) were also calculated.

RESULTS

In the entire series, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS rates were, respectively, 73%, 59%, and 37%. Corresponding values for cumulative LC probability were 73%, 73%, and 70% and for DSS, 89%, 86%, and 85%, taking into account surgical salvage of relapsed cases. Seventy-three percent of the patients were cured with function preserved. Main determinants of a worse LC at univariate analysis were larger tumor extent and impaired cord mobility. At multivariate analysis, the same factors retained statistical significance. Twenty-year STP was 23%, with second-tumor deaths less frequent than larynx cancer deaths (20 of 256 vs. 30 of 256). Incidence of late damage was higher in the first decade of accrual (22%) than in the last decade (10%, p = 0.03); the same was true for severe late damage (9% vs. 1.8%).

CONCLUSION

Present-day radical radiotherapy can be considered a standard treatment for T2 glottic cancer. Better results are obtained in patients with less extended disease. Late damage is relatively infrequent, but a careful follow-up is warranted for early detection not only of relapses (because salvage surgery is feasible) but also of second malignant tumors, which constitute a relevant but not the leading cause of death in these patients and are potentially curable.

Laringectomia frontal anterior: técnica de Tucker. Estudo retrospectivo

O carcinoma epidermóide da laringe é a sexta neoplasia mais comum, sendo uma das neoplasias malignas mais freqüentes na cabeça e pescoço, ocupando o segundo lugar imediatamente após o câncer da cavidade oral. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Estudo clínico retrospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Entre os anos de 1991 e 2003, 24 pacientes portadores de lesões glóticas envolvendo a comissura anterior foram submetidos a laringectomia frontal anterior com epiglotoplastia descrita por Tucker e colaboradores no ano de 1979. RESULTADO: Nossos resultados confirmam aqueles encontrados em outras publicações. Não ocorreram mortes no pós-operatório e o seguimento foi relativamente simples. Todos os pacientes foram decanulizados e recuperaram um efetivo trato digestivo e aéreo. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos achados mostram que a laringectomia pela técnica de Tucker é uma cirurgia efetiva para o tratamento dos carcinomas glóticos que acometem a comissura anterior e a porção membranosa das cordas vocais com a motilidade preservada, pois tais lesões não devem ser tratadas pela ressecção endoscópica trans-oral ou por uma laringectomia fronto lateral.

Prognostic significance of pretreatment hemoglobin for local control and overall survival in T1-T2N0 larynx cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To elucidate a relationship between pretreatment hemoglobin and local control in patients with T1-T2N0 larynx cancer treated with radiotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 246 patients with T1-T2N0 cancer of the larynx were included in this analysis. Patients were treated using a median daily fraction of 200 cGy to a total median dose of 66 Gy within 47 days. Prognostic factors included pretreatment hemoglobin, age, gender, race, T stage, tumor subsite, beam energy, biologically equivalent dose, and therapy duration.

RESULTS

Fifty patients developed local relapse, for an actuarial 5-year relapse-free rate of 77.3%. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 69.8%. The pretreatment hemoglobin levels were assessed using the following hemoglobin quartiles: 10.1-13.3, 13.4-14.1, 14.2-14.9, and 15.0-18.3 g/dL. On Cox multivariate analysis, the pretreatment hemoglobin level predicted for local failure and poorer overall survival. The relative risk for 5-year local relapse by hemoglobin quartile was 2.70, 2.33, 1.91, and 1.00 (p = 0.034). The relative risk for poorer 5-year overall survival by hemoglobin quartile was 2.23 1.30, 0.80, and 1.00 (p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment hemoglobin levels predicted for local control and overall survival for larynx cancer in a multivariate model. This relationship has potential therapeutic implications regarding correcting anemia before the initiation of radiotherapy for optimal outcome.

Total laryngectomy and postoperative radiotherapy for T4 laryngeal cancer: a 14-year review

OBJECTIVE

The most appropriate treatment of locally advanced carcinoma of the larynx remains to be ascertained. Management of T4 laryngeal cancer patients with postoperative radiotherapy after total laryngectomy is generally advocated and not often debated. However, the effects of this combined treatment approach are poorly documented. We reviewed the oncologic outcome and long-term survival of individuals treated by total laryngectomy and postoperative radiotherapy (TLPR) for T4 carcinoma of the larynx.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with a pathologic diagnosis of T4 laryngeal cancer treated by TLPR during a 14-year period were studied retrospectively. Median follow-up from treatment until the end of observation was 36 months (range 6 to 123 months).

RESULTS

The overall actuarial and disease-free survival rates at 7 years were 43% and 30%, respectively. Local recurrence, regional relapse, and distant metastasis developed in 4%, 4%, and 7% of the cases, respectively. Later esophageal stricture, dental caries, or carotid artery disease in 3 patients (11%) was successfully managed. Multivariate analysis showed patient age, bilateral true vocal cord-anterior commissure involvement by laryngeal cancer (horse-shoe lesion), and any type of treatment failure to be the most predictive variables affecting prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Long-term disease control and survival is achievable by TLPR with minimal late toxicity in patients with T4 carcinoma of the larynx.

Radical radiation vs surgery plus post-operative radiation in advanced (resectable) supraglottic larynx and pyriform sinus cancers: a prospective randomized study

AIM

Survival in head and neck cancers reflect loco-regional control. With an aim of organ and function preservation the present study was undertaken to compare local failure and survivals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between August 1991-December 1995, 72 patients with resectable advanced supraglottic cancers, were randomized to radical surgery followed by post-operative radiation therapy (Sx+PORT) (Arm I) or radical radiation therapy followed by salvage surgery (RRT+/-SSx) (Arm II).

RESULTS

Sixty-four of 72 patients were evaluable, 55 were T3 (86%) and 9 were T4 (14%) tumors. In Arm I (n=35) with a mean follow-up of 24 months (2-86 months), 21 patients were alive without disease. Six patients had recurrence, one each at local and tracheostomy stoma, four had nodal recurrence only, and two developed 2nd primary in soft palate/tonsil and parotid at 15 and 18 months respectively. In Arm II (n=29), with a mean follow-up of 24 months (3-81 months), 14 patients were alive without disease. Thirteen patients had recurrence, eight had local (one patient had persistent disease), two nodal only, three loco-regional and two patients developed distant metastasis (lung). One out of eight local recurrence and 2/2 nodal recurrences were salvaged with Sx. There was a significant difference in disease-free survival between the two treatment arms, DFS (5 years) of 70% in Arm I vs 50% in Arm II (p=0.04), but did not have any impact on overall survival OAS (5 years); 73% vs 77% (p=0.79). Voice/laryngeal preservation was possible in 18/29 patients (62%) treated with RRT+/- Sx, without significantly affecting the OAS. "Pathological upstaging" was another significant finding seen in 64% of clinical T3 after radical surgery.

CONCLUSION

RRT+/-SSx can be a feasible option in low volume, favourable resectable stage III and IV supraglottic lesions for better quality of life.

Radiotherapy patterns of practice: T1N0 glottic cancer in Ontario, Canada

AIMS

To describe the variation in the delivery of radiation therapy to patients with T1N0 glottic cancer who were diagnosed in Ontario, Canada, between 1982 and 1995.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient population consisted of a random sample of 461 patients treated with curative intent from the nine cancer centres that administer radiation therapy in the province. Abstracted variables included prescribed dose (Gy) and fractionation (f), beam energy and arrangement, set-up, field size, beam modifiers, positioning and treatment interruptions.

RESULTS

Thirteen prescribed dose-fractionation schemes (> or = four cases each) were identified, including 50.0-53.0 Gy/20 f (54.5%), 55.0-61.0 Gy/25 f (30.3%), and 60.0-66.0 Gy/30-33 f (7.7%). All regimens used one fraction per day, 5 days per week. An isocentric set-up was used (94.3%), with megavoltage (MV) beam energies of Cobalt-60 (87.9%), 6 MV (6.1%) and 4 MV (6.1%). A lateral parallel-opposed pair of beams was the predominant technique (76.4%) versus an anterior oblique pair (17.2%) or angle-down pair (caudally directed fields to achieve shoulder clearance, 5.7%). Wedging (96.3%) and bolus (11.8%) were used as beam-modifying devices. Predominant field-width dimensions were 5.0-6.0 cm (43.4%) and 6.5-7.0 cm (43.1%), and field length dimensions were 5.0-6.0 cm (49.5%) and 6.5-7.0 cm (35.0%). Head, neck or chin immobilisation was used in 86.9% of the cases, with 94.6% of these being custom-made. We found that radiotherapy practice was stable over time, except for a trend of increasing field size and increasing use of immobilisation. In contrast, we found practice variations among the province's cancer centres. On the basis of our findings, we defined a predominant technical practice consisting of Cobalt-60 (reflecting machine availability during the period of the study), an isocentric set-up, a lateral parallel-opposed pair technique with wedging, and supine-head neutral positioning with custom immobilisation. Forty-two per cent of the cases had one or more components of treatment that differed from this definition.

CONCLUSIONS

Description of practice variation can provoke discussion about unrecognised differences in practice policies, perhaps identifying the need for better evidence, treatment guidelines, or both.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in Ontario, Canada, and in southeastern Norway

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Reports comparing case mix, treatments, and outcomes between different countries are uncommon in head and neck oncology. Prospective databases of unselected patients from regional cancer centers in southeastern Ontario, Canada, and southeastern Norway were compared.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study of two prospective databases.

METHODS

The case mix, treatments, and disease-specific mortality were compared using frequency tables, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and the log rank test. RESULTSThe case mix, except for differences in oral cavity, oropharynx, and the recorded tumor (T) category, was similar, and the treatments were different. There was no statistical difference in overall survival for all patients, as well as for some sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of treatments, based on different overall treatment polices, for all patients were similar. The differences in recorded T category with no statistical difference in overall survival suggest a difference in staging assignment and raises a question about the reliability of the TNM staging process.

Management and outcome differences in supraglottic cancer between Ontario, Canada, and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results areas of the United States

PURPOSE

We compared the management and outcome of supraglottic cancer in Ontario, Canada, with that in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program areas in the United States.

METHODS

Electronic, clinical, and hospital data were linked to cancer registry data and supplemented by chart review where necessary. Stage-stratified analyses compared initial treatment and survival in the SEER areas (n = 1,643) with a random sample from Ontario (n = 265). We also compared laryngectomy rates at 3 years in those patients 65 years and older at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Radical surgery was more commonly used in SEER, with absolute differences increasing with increasing stage: I/II, 17%; III, 36%; and IV, 45%. The 5-year survival rates were 74% in Ontario and 56% in SEER for stage I/II disease (P =.01), 55.7% in Ontario and 46.8% in SEER for stage III disease (P =.40), and 28.5% in Ontario and 29.1% in SEER for stage IV disease (P =.28). Cancer-specific survival results mirrored the overall survival results with the exception of stage IV disease, for which 34.6% of Ontario patients survived their cancer compared with 38.1% in SEER (P =.10). This stage IV difference was more pronounced when we further controlled for possible cause of death errors by restricting the comparison to patients with a single primary cancer (P =.01). Three-year actuarial laryngectomy rates differed. In stage I/II, these rates were 3% in Ontario compared with 35% in SEER (P < 10(-3)). In stage III disease, the rates were 30% and 54%, respectively (P =.03), and in stage IV disease they were 33% and 64% (P =.002).

CONCLUSION

There are large differences in the management of supraglottic cancer between the SEER areas of the United States and Ontario. Long-term larynx retention was higher in Ontario, where radiotherapy is widely regarded as the treatment of choice and surgery is reserved for salvage. In stages I to III, survival was similar in the two regions despite the differences in treatment policy. In stage IV, there may be a small survival advantage in the U.S. SEER areas related to the higher use of primary surgery.

Radiotherapy versus open surgery versus endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) for early laryngeal squamous cell cancer

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy, open surgery and endolaryngeal excision (with or without laser) are all accepted modalities of treatment for early stage glottic cancer. Case series suggest that they confer similar survival advantage. Opinions on optimal therapy vary across disciplines and between countries.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of open surgery, endolaryngeal excision (with or without laser) and radiotherapy in the management of early glottic laryngeal cancer

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic search of MEDLINE (from 1966 to October 2000), EMBASE (from 1980 to October 2000), CINAHL (from 1982 to October 2000) and CancerLit (from 1963 to October 2000) databases and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing open surgery, endolaryngeal resection and/or radiotherapy

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently assessed RCTs identified from the electronic searches for eligibility and methodological quality. All authors of the review discussed the results of these assessments.

MAIN RESULTS

Only one RCT was identified which compared open surgery and radiotherapy among a substantial number of patients with early glottic laryngeal cancer.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is currently insufficient evidence to guide management decisions on the most effective treatment. Interpretation of the only large scale RCT comparing open surgery and radiotherapy in patients with early glottic cancer is limited because of concerns about the adequacy of treatment regimens and deficiencies in the reporting of the study design and analysis. Endolaryngeal resection of early glottic tumours is becoming more common and a well designed multicentre RCT is warranted.

Treatment results and prognostic factors of advanced T3--4 laryngeal carcinoma: the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Stanford University Hospital (SUH) experience

PURPOSE

To review the UCSF-SUH experience in the treatment of advanced T3--4 laryngeal carcinoma and to evaluate the different factors affecting locoregional control and survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We reviewed the records of 223 patients treated for T3--4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx between October 1, 1957, and December 1, 1999. There were 187 men and 36 women, with a median age of 60 years (range, 28--85 years). The primary site was glottic in 122 and supraglottic in 101 patients. We retrospectively staged the patients according to the 1997 AJCC staging system. One hundred and twenty-seven patients had T3 lesions, and 96 had T4 lesions; 132 had N0, 29 had N1, 45 had N2, and 17 had N3 disease. The overall stage was III in 93 and IV in 130 patients. Seventy-nine patients had cartilage involvement, and 144 did not. Surgery was the primary treatment modality in 161 patients, of which 134 had postoperative radiotherapy (RT), 11 had preoperative RT, 7 had surgery followed by RT and chemotherapy (CT), and 9 had surgery alone. Forty-one patients had RT alone, and 21 had CT with RT. Locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan--Meier method. Log-rank statistics were employed to identify significant prognostic factors for OS and LRC.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 41 months (range, 2--367 months) for all patients and 78 months (range, 6--332 months) for alive patients. The LRC rate was 69% at 5 years and 68% at 10 years. Eighty-four patients relapsed, of which 53 were locoregional failures. Significant prognostic factors for LRC on univariate analysis were primary site, N stage, overall stage, the lowest hemoglobin (Hgb) level during RT, and treatment modality. Favorable prognostic factors for LRC on multivariate analysis were lower N stage and primary surgery. The overall survival rate was 48% at 5 years and 34% at 10 years. Significant prognostic factors for OS on univariate analysis were: primary site, age, overall stage, T stage, N stage, lowest Hgb level during RT, and treatment modality. Favorable prognostic factors for OS on multivariate analysis were lower N stage and higher Hgb level during RT.

CONCLUSION

Lower N-stage was a favorable prognostic factor for LRC and OS. Hgb levels > or = 12.5 g/dL during RT was a favorable prognostic factor for OS. Surgery was a favorable prognostic factor for LRC but did not impact on OS. Correcting the Hbg level before and during treatment should be investigated in future clinical trials as a way of improving therapeutic outcome in patients with advanced laryngeal carcinomas.

Carcinoma-in-situ of the glottic larynx: results of treatment with radiation therapy

PURPOSE

Carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) of the vocal cords frequently progresses to invasive disease if untreated. Treatment approaches include vocal cord stripping, radiation therapy (RT), and laser excision. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of a standard RT regimen in the treatment of this condition.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 1980 and December 1994, 67 patients (52 men, 15 women; median age, 65 years) with glottic CIS were treated with RT. The standard RT regimen was 51 Gy in 20 fractions given over 4 weeks (99% of patients). Prior to receiving RT, 21 patients (31%) had undergone 1 or 2 vocal cord stripping procedures, and 1 had been treated with laser.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 6.5 years, 1 patient developed invasive glottic cancer, giving a 5-year actuarial local control rate of 98%. This patient recurred 14 months after treatment and was salvaged with laryngectomy. He is currently free of disease 2 years after surgery. There were no serious acute or late treatment complications. Sixteen patients (24%) developed subsequent malignancies, 8 of these being in the upper aerodigestive tract, although none were in the radiation field.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-dose radiation therapy is an effective treatment for glottic CIS. It is well tolerated, produces no serious acute or long-term side effects, with an excellent cure rate.

ORGAN PRESERVATION FOR CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX AND HYPOPHARYNX

Treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers often necessitates total laryngectomy. This article reviews approaches of curing patients with these diseases while preserving their larynx. Strategies include radiation alone, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with radiation for responders, or concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. Both retrospective experiences and randomized trials evaluating differing therapies in an effort to achieve voice preservation are reported and analyzed.

Glottic cancer in Ontario, Canada and the SEER areas of the United States. Do different management philosophies produce different outcome profiles?

We compared the management and outcome of glottic cancer in Ontario, Canada to that in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program areas in the United States to determine whether the greater use of primary radiotherapy with surgery reserved for salvage in Ontario was associated with similar survival and better larynx retention rates than the U.S. approach where primary surgery is used more often. Electronic, clinical and hospital data were linked to cancer registry data and supplemented by chart review where necessary. Initial treatment and survival in patients diagnosed in the SEER areas from 1988 through 1994 were compared to patients from Ontario diagnosed from 1982 through 1995. Actuarial laryngectomy rates were compared for patients over 65 at diagnosis in the two regions. Analyses were conducted over all cases and stratified by disease stage. In localized disease (T1 or T2), conservative treatment was the most common initial treatment in both regions, although total laryngectomy was used more often in SEER than Ontario (6.2% vs. 0.2%, respectively, P <.001). In advanced disease (T3 or T4), total laryngectomy was more commonly used as initial treatment in SEER (62.9% vs. 21.0% in Ontario, P < or =.001). Over all cases, the relative survival rate was 80% in Ontario at 5 years compared to 78% in SEER (P =.33). In localized disease, the relative survival rates were 4 to 5% higher in Ontario from the second year on, while in advanced disease 2 to 3% higher rates in SEER did not approach statistical significance. Actuarial laryngectomy rates at 3 years differed between the two regions, with a 4% higher rate in SEER (P =.01). In localized disease, 12.6% of Ontario patients had a laryngectomy by 3 years postdiagnosis compared to 17.9% in SEER (P =.05). In advanced disease, the rates were 63.3% and 79.2%, respectively (P =.07). There are large differences in the management of glottic cancer between the SEER areas of the U.S. and Ontario and no evidence that a policy emphasizing radiotherapy with surgery reserved for salvage is associated with worse survival. Ultimate laryngectomy rates are lower in Ontario for localized disease and may be lower for advanced disease. Conservation treatment should be used for localized disease while the treatment decision in advanced disease may be especially sensitive to patient values for voice retention versus initial cure.

Local recurrences following transoral laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma: frequency, management, and outcome

Although transoral laser surgery (TLS) for the treatment of early stage glottic carcinoma is now widely used, the patterns of local recurrences, related re-treatment methods, and results have not been documented comprehensively. Two hundred fifty-two patients with glottic carcinoma stage I or II were treated for cure with TLS alone and followed up for 24 to 139 months (mean, 62 months). Their charts were retrospectively reviewed to identify local recurrence patterns. Thirty-five patients (13.9%) presented with local recurrences or second laryngeal primaries 4 to 84 months (mean, 23 months) after initial treatment. Of the 161 patients classified T1N0M0, 21 (13.0%) suffered local recurrences, and in the 91 classified T2N0M0, 14 (15.4%) tumors recurred. If tumors recurring more than 60 months after initial treatment are considered second primary tumors rather than recurrences, then only 18 (11.2%) of 161 patients classified T1N0M0 would have had a recurrence. However, the difference in local control between patients with stage I versus stage II disease would still not be significant (p = .41). Of the 35 patients with local recurrences, 16 (45%) were managed with total laryngectomy, 10 (28.6%) with further TLS, 4 (11.4%) with partial laryngectomy, and 2 (5.7%) with radiotherapy, and 3 (8.6%) had no curative treatment. Accordingly, 16 patients (45.7%) with local treatment failure could be treated with further organ-sparing treatment methods. The actuarial overall survival, disease-specific survival, and organ preservation rates 5 years after the diagnosis of recurrent disease were 43.6%, 74.6%, and 33.7%. Transoral laser surgery leads to local control rates that are comparable to those found after radiotherapy for lesions classified T1 and leads to slightly better control rates for lesions classified T2, but the results are inferior to those achieved with conventional partial laryngectomy. However, if local recurrence occurs, then more re-treatment options are available after TLS as compared to initial radiotherapy or open surgery.

Role of multimodal treatment in oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx cancer

Due to recent advances in radiation fractionation, radiochemotherapy, and conservative surgical techniques, the concept of multimodal therapy in head and neck cancer is currently changing. The recently published RTOG Phase III trial 9003, with 1,113 patients accrued, showed that hyperfractionation and accelerated fractionation with concomitant boost are more efficacious than standard fractionation for locally-advanced head and neck cancer. Acute, but not late, toxicity was also increased. Three meta-analyses have suggested that the impact of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer is small but is highly associated with the timing of therapy. Concomitant administration of radiation therapy and chemotherapy led to an absolute benefit in 5-year survival of about 10%. This finding has been further supported by recently published randomized prospective trials comparing concomitant radiochemotherapy with radiotherapy alone in advanced head and neck cancer. There is now clear evidence that radiochemotherapy provides a substantial and statistically significant improvement in survival and local-regional control, as compared to radiotherapy alone. Radiochemotherapy should be considered an accepted standard of care in cancers of the oropharynx, particularly for patients with locally-advanced disease who have a good performance status. Two randomized studies conducted by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the EORTC, with a total of 534 patients accrued, showed that induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy of responders yields survival rates equal to those of total laryngectomy with postoperative radiotherapy. After 4 years, one-half to two-thirds of survivors of the chemotherapy arm retained a functional larynx. Larynx preservation using induction chemotherapy can now be regarded as feasible but still investigational. Current phase II studies show excellent larynx preservation rates using a primary concomitant radiochemotherapy with an altered fractionation regimen. More clinical and laboratory research is required to further evaluate the different treatment options of the multimodality concept, and to develop prognostic models that will allow individualization of the therapy.

Radiation therapy in T1-T2 glottic carcinoma: influence of various treatment parameters on local control/complications

PURPOSE

To evaluate the influence of various treatment parameters on local control as well as complications in T1 and T2 glottic carcinomas.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1975 and 1989, 676 patients with early glottic carcinoma (460 T1 and 216 T2) received curative radiation with three different treatment regimens, as follows: Regimen 1-50 Gy/15 Fr/3 weeks (3.33 Gy/daily) for 192 patients; Regimen 2-60-62.5 Gy/24-25 Fr/5 weeks (2.5 Gy/daily) for 352 patients; and Regimen 3-55-60 Gy/25-30 Fr/5-6 weeks (2-2.25 Gy/daily) for 132 patients.

RESULTS

The local control at 10 years was 82% and 57% for T1 and T2 lesions respectively (p = 0.0). For the T1N0M0 group, field size had significant impact on local control with both univariate (p = 0.05) and multivariate (p = 0.03) analysis. For T2N0M0, group field size (p = 0.03) as well as registration year (p = 0.016) were significant in univariate analysis whereas only field size remained significant on multivariate analysis. Persistent radiation edema was noted in 146 (22%) patients and was significantly worse with larger field size (p = 0.000) but not related to different treatment regimens.

CONCLUSION

The shorter fractionation schedule had comparable local control, without increased complications in comparison to the protracted schedule and is best suited for a busy department.

Quality of life and utility in irradiated laryngeal cancer patients

PURPOSE

To determine quality of life (QOL) and health utility in irradiated laryngeal cancer survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Over 6 months, consecutive follow-up patients at a comprehensive cancer centre completed the QOL questionnaire FACT-H&N and the time trade-off (TTO) utility instrument.

RESULTS

Inclusion criteria were met by 339 patients, of whom 269 were eligible, 245 were approached, and 120 agreed to participate. Most participants were men (83%) who had received radiotherapy (97%) for Stage I disease (53%) of the glottis (75%); 7% had undergone total laryngectomy. Participants differed from nonparticipants only in being younger (mean age, 65 vs. 68 years, p = 0.0049) and having higher performance status (Karnofsky 88 vs. 84, p = 0.0012). The average scores for FACT-H&N and the TTO were 124/144 (SD, 14) and 0.90/1.0 (SD, 0.16) respectively. FACT-H&N score was more highly correlated with Karnofsky score (r = 0.43, p = 0.001) than with the TTO (r = 0.29, p = 0.002). Gender predicted QOL (means: M = 125, F = 118), while natural speech, no relapses, and more time since initial treatment predicted higher utility.

CONCLUSION

The QOL of irradiated laryngeal cancer survivors was reasonably high and independent of initial disease variables. The QOL questionnaire correlated more strongly with performance status than with utility, suggesting that QOL and utility measures may be perceived differently by patients.

Potential role of transoral laser surgery for larynx carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The treatment of larynx carcinoma is not settled to date. This prospective study evaluates the potential role of transoral laser surgery (TLS) for larynx carcinoma in a large series of unselected patients from a single institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 504 consecutive patients with previously untreated carcinoma of the larynx were seen from 1986-1994. Their treatment modalities and results were prospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

TLS was used in 290 patients (58%), total laryngectomy in 130 (26%), conventional partial laryngectomies in 31 (6%), and radiotherapy in 34 (7%). Nineteen (4%) had no curative treatment. Uncorrected actuarial survival for all patients with glottic carcinoma stages I and II treated with laser surgery (n = 202) was 80.2%, cause specific survival 96.7%, and local control 85.8%. Uncorrected actuarial survival for all patients with supraglottic carcinoma stages I and II treated with laser surgery (n = 40) was 49.0%, cause specific survival 78.6%, and local control 87.3%.

CONCLUSION

TLS was the most important single treatment modality in this large series of unselected patients. It is a safe and time- and cost-effective alternative to radiotherapy for early stage larynx carcinoma.

Cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract in Ontario, Canada, and the United States

BACKGROUND

Squamous cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) are related to the use of tobacco and/or alcohol, and in North America they are more common among the poor. They are usually locoregionally confined at diagnosis, and local treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy is often curative. This study compares the incidence and survival of this group of diseases in Canada and the U.S., two North American neighbors with many cultural similarities but significant differences in their health care and social programs.

METHODS

To describe and compare the case mix, incidence, and outcome of squamous cancers of the UADT in Ontario, Canada, and the U.S., we used the Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries in the U.S. to identify all cases of cancer with International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes 141, 143-9, 160-1, and a subset of 140, which were diagnosed between 1982 and 1994. ICD-O histology codes were placed into clinically relevant groupings, and ICD-9 site codes were grouped into sites as defined by the International Union Against Cancer and the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for each site. For the SEER registry, race specific incidence rates were also calculated. Observed and expected survival were plotted by site and registry, and from these, relative survival was calculated. Survival was compared during the first 5 years after diagnosis and during the next 5 years among patients who had survived the first 5 years.

RESULTS

Of the 16,577 and 42,990 cases identified in the OCR and SEER registries, respectively, squamous cancer was by far the most common histology (94.1% in OCR, 94.6% in SEER) and will form the main subject of this report. The distribution of squamous cancers by site, subsite, age, and gender were remarkably similar in the two populations. Overall, the incidence was about 17% higher in the U.S. than in Ontario, and this difference was seen for all sites except the nasopharynx, which was more common in Ontario. The higher incidence in the U.S. in part reflects the much higher rate for African Americans than for Americans of other ethnic backgrounds. During the first 5 years after diagnosis, when most deaths from UADT cancer occur, there was a significant relative survival difference in favor of the U.S. for cancer of the supraglottis, and in favor of Ontario for cancer of the oral cavity. There was a nonsignificant trend in favor of Ontario for cancer of the nasopharynx. Within the SEER population, for all sites except the nasopharynx, 5-year relative survival was considerably worse for African Americans than for Americans of other ethnic backgrounds. Examination of survival beyond 5 years after diagnosis for patients who had survived the first 5 years revealed that for all sites, the observed survival continued to diverge markedly from the expected survival. The excess mortality ranged from less than 20% for glottic and nasopharyngeal cancers to about 30-40% for oropharyngeal and supraglottic cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite remarkable similarities in case mix between the two countries, UADT cancers were more frequent in the SEER population of the U.S. than in Ontario, and this was partly attributable to the much higher incidence among African Americans. Significant differences between the registries in 5-year survival were seen for several sites. African Americans with UADT cancers had much worse prognoses than did Americans of other ethnic backgrounds. Patients who survive their UADT cancer remain at a higher-than-expected risk of death even after they have been cured.

Comparing treatment outcomes of radiotherapy and surgery in locally advanced carcinoma of the larynx: a comparison limited to patients eligible for surgery

PURPOSE

The use of radical radiotherapy and surgery for salvage (RRSS) in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx is controversial. In the absence of randomized studies, it is unclear if RRSS can match the rates of locoregional control and survival reported for primary surgery in this setting. The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes of radiotherapy and surgery in comparable patients with CS III-IV SCC of the larynx.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eighty-two patients with untreated T2N+M0 or T3T4NM0 SCC of the larynx were treated with a policy RRSS at the Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre between June 1980 and December 1990. The medical records at presentation were reviewed independently by a panel of three surgical oncologists blinded as to treatment outcome to determine patient suitability for laryngectomy and neck dissection using eligibility criteria adopted by recent clinical trials. Treatment outcomes for surgery-eligible patients were compared to results of comparably staged patients in the surgical literature since 1980.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients (77%) were eligible for study. With a median follow-up of 3 years, radiotherapy controlled the primary in 8/20 evaluable glottic primaries and 21/41 evaluable supraglottic primaries. Forty-five percent of patients surviving 5 years retained a functional larynx. Sixteen of 29 relapsing patients were salvaged with surgery. Disease above the clavicles was controlled in 65% of T3T4N0N+ glottic primaries (compared to a published range of 53% to 79%) and 82% of T3N0 glottic primaries (compared to a published range of 69% to 84%). The 5-year overall survival of patients with T3T4 glottic cancer was 54% compared to a published range of 50% to 63%. The cause-specific survival (CSS) of patients with T3N0 glottic primaries (86% at 1 year and 73% at 2 years) was identical to the only published report of CSS in the surgical literature.

CONCLUSION

A policy of RRSS offers a good chance of laryngeal conservation without compromising ultimate locoregional control or survival when compared to primary laryngectomy and neck dissection in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the larynx meeting the surgical eligibility of clinical trials.

Definitive radiotherapy for 114 cases of T3N0 glottic carcinoma: influence of dose-volume parameters on outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Assuming that the dose-response curve for T3N0M0 glottic carcinoma is steep and that the rate of occult lymph node metastases is low, it should be possible to employ high biological tumour doses to modest target volumes and thereby maximise laryngeal control without compromising final neck control. Within the constraints of a retrospective study we aim to examine this policy with respect to local control, incidence of nodal relapse and late complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and fourteen patients with T3N0M0 glottic carcinoma who received a 3-week schedule of radical radiotherapy between 1986 and 1994 were analysed. The median age was 67 years (range, 34-85 years) and the median follow-up for living patients was 4.8 years (1.9-8.9 years). There were no strict selection criteria for those patients treated with radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival was 54%. The 5-year local control with radiotherapy and the ultimate loco-regional control following salvage laryngectomy were 68 and 80%, respectively. Nine patients (8%) suffered a regional nodal relapse but only three of these (3% overall) occurred in the absence of local failure. Four patients (3.5%) developed serious late complications requiring surgical intervention (three received 55 Gy and one 52.5 Gy).

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to employ maximum tolerable doses to specific target volumes and thereby exploit the dose response demonstrated and minimise major late effects. The use of modest target volumes resulted in only 3% of patients requiring surgery that might have been avoided had prophylactic neck irradiation been employed.

Clinical economics of head and neck malignancies

With the continued increase in medical expenditures and the growing awareness that resources are not limitless, there is increasing pressure to curb health care costs and to establish priorities. As potential solutions are proposed and implemented, there is understandable concern that policy choices may adversely affect both the access to and the quality of care. Economic analyses are one tool used to optimize resource allocation decisions. The primary goal of these analyses is to maximize value and efficiency, not necessarily to decrease spending. The current focus on cost cutting is often associated with a more truncated, nonsocietal perspective (e.g., that of the payer or provider). To be most useful, these analyses must be methodologically rigorous. Standard guidelines, such as those established by Eisenberg, are helpful. As shown in the reports applicable to head and neck malignancies that have been discussed here, many articles published in the clinical literature must be interpreted cautiously, because fundamental methodological concerns (e.g., using costs rather than charges, discounting to a common base year) were frequently not addressed. Economic investigations are one aspect of the broader fields of outcomes and health services research. It is easy to underestimate how greatly economic studies depend on the availability of high quality noneconomic data. In that context, current initiatives in evidence-based medicine (EBM), using the best available evidence (considering for example, the type of trial, the quality of the research, and the credentials of the researcher) to help clinicians practice in situations where doubt may exist in the diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis of patients, will likely grow in importance. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and systematic literature reviews are manifestations of this trend. Historically, disease control measures and survival have been the primary and points in clinical cancer studies. Economic analyses and studies evaluating other end points (e.g., function, quality of life) will likely play a larger role in the future in evaluating the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of head, neck and other malignancies.

Associations between community income and cancer survival in Ontario, Canada, and the United States

PURPOSE

The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to compare the magnitude of the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and cancer survival in the Canadian province of Ontario with that in the United States (U.S.), and (2) to compare cancer survival in communities with similar SES in Ontario and in the U.S.

METHODS

The Ontario Cancer Registry provided information about all cases of invasive cancer diagnosed in Ontario from 1987 to 1992, and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Registry (SEER) provided information about all cases diagnosed in the SEER regions of the U.S. during the same time period. Census data provided information about SES at the community level. The product-limit method was used to describe cause-specific survival. Cox proportional hazards models were used to describe the association between SES and the risk of death from cancer.

RESULTS

There were significant associations between SES and survival for most cancer sites in both the U.S. and Ontario, but the magnitude of the association was usually larger in the U.S. In the poorest communities, there were significant survival advantages in favor of cancer patients in Ontario for many disease groups, including cancers of the lung, head and neck region, cervix, and uterus. However, in upper- and middle-income communities, there were significant survival advantages in favor of the U.S. for all cases combined and for several individual diseases, including cancers of the breast, colon and rectum, prostate, and bladder.

CONCLUSION

The association between SES and cancer survival is weaker in Ontario than it is in the U.S. This is due to a combination of better survival among patients in the poorest communities and worse survival among patients in the wealthier communities of Ontario relative to those in the U.S.

Surgery or Radiotherapy for Early Stages Carcinomas of the Glottic Larynx

Aims and Background

The choice of treatment in limited squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx often depends on individual and tumor factors. Data of the literature clearly show that surgery and radiotherapy tend to give identical results in terms of survival. We examined 196 cases of T1-T2/N0 cancers of the glottic larynx. We review the literature and discuss the indications and the efficacy of the various available treatments.

Methods and Study Design

196 consecutive cases of T1-T2/N0 cancers of the glottic larynx were examined. In 54.5% the tumor was confined to the vocal cord; in 38.2% it extended to the anterior commissure, in 4.6% to the arytenoid cartilage and in 2.5% to the floor of the ventricle. We performed partial laryngeal surgery in 41.3% (81 cases). Radiotherapy alone was employed in 58.6% (115 cases).

Results

In T1a and T1b cases there was no statistically significant difference in 5-year disease-free survival. In T2 cases the NED survival of patients who underwent partial laryngectomies (90% of cases) was significantly better (P <0.05) than among patients given radiotherapy (73%). NED survival at 5 years in patients with the primary tumor on a vocal cord, ventricle or anterior commissure was 78%, 80% and 81%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among the various sites. It is possible that involvement of the anterior commissure exposes patients to greater risk of recurrence when radiotherapy alone is used (5 out of 23 cases, 21.7%, compared to 3 out of 52 cases, 5.7%, among our surgically treated patients).

Conclusions

When the tumor is confined to the vocal cord and mobility is not impaired (T1a), surgery and radiotherapy give comparable results, and the latter yields a better functional outcome. When the anterior commissure is involved, recurrences appear to be less likely after surgery. In T2 glottic carcinoma, surgery gives better results than radiotherapy alone. In any event, the choice of treatment should be patient-specific and based on a careful analysis of the factors involved in each case.

T3-4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated with radiation therapy alone

This article reviews the results of radiation therapy alone for T3-4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Local control after radiation therapy is approximately 65% for patients with T3 glottic and supraglottic carcinoma. The likelihood of local control is inversely related to tumor volume and, for those with glottic cancers, is adversely influenced by cartilage sclerosis on pretreatment computed tomography of the larynx. Local control after radiotherapy is approximately 60% for T4 glottic cancers and 50% for T4 supraglottic carcinomas. The probability of severe complications is related to primary site and T-stage.

The impact of treatment time and smoking on local control and complications in T1 glottic cancer

PURPOSE

To define the optimal treatment regimen, patients with T1N0M0 glottic larynx carcinoma were treated with six different radiotherapy (RT) schedules. To assess the influence of patient characteristics, complication rates, and to evaluate the overall larynx preservation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Out of a consecutive series of 383 patients treated for T1N0M0 glottic larynx carcinoma between 1965 and 1992, 352 evaluable patients were treated with six different "standard" fractionation schedules: 65 Gy (20 x 3.25 Gy), 62 Gy (20 x 3.1 Gy), 61.6 Gy (22 x 2.8 Gy), 60 Gy (25 x 2.4 Gy), 66 Gy (33 x 2 Gy) and 60 Gy (30 x 2 Gy). The median follow-up of all patients was 89 months. Patient factors analyzed included: age, sex, concurrent illness, smoking habits, tumor localization and extension, tumor differentiation, the effect of tumor biopsy or stripping of the vocal cord, and the presence of visible tumor at the start of radiotherapy. Treatment parameters evaluated were: year of treatment, beam energy, treatment planning, field size, fractionation schedule, fraction size, number of fractions, total dose, treatment time and treatment gap, the use of wedges, and neck diameter.

RESULTS

The overall 5-year actuarial locoregional control was 89%, varying between 83 and 93% for the different schedules. Univariately, local control decreased with increasing treatment time. This could not be explained by the confounding variables sex, tumor extension, and field length (p = 0.0065). Adjusted for these variables, 5-year local control percentage decreased from 95% (SE 2%) for 22-29 days to 79% (SE 6%) for treatment time > or = 40 days. The overall complication rate (grade I-IV) at 5 years was 15.3%, and varied between the different schedules, from 7 to 17%. No relation was found between complications and treatment factors. Patients who continued smoking had a higher complication rate than those who never smoked or stopped smoking, univariately as well as adjusted for tumor extension, macroscopic tumor, and neck diameter (p = 0.0038). Twenty-eight percent (SE 6%) of the patients who continued smoking had complications at 10 years, compared to about 13% (SE 4%) of those who stopped before or after RT. No evidence was found for any other relation between complications and patient or tumor factors. Severe edema and necrosis (grade III and IV) were not observed in the 2 Gy fraction schedules. A laryngectomy was performed in 36 patients: 30 for recurrence, 3 for complications (at 40, 161, and 272 months), and 3 for a second primary. The overall larynx preservation was 90% at 10 years, and for the different schedules it was 20 x 3.25 Gy: 97%; 20 x 3.1 Gy: 96%; 22 x 2.8 Gy: 92%; 25 x 2.4 Gy: 89%; 33 x 2 Gy: 78%; and 30 x 2 Gy: 80%.

CONCLUSION

Overall treatment time is the most significant factor for locoregional control of T1 glottic cancer. A schedule of 25 x 2.4 Gy appeared to be the optimal treatment schedule considering both tumor control and long term toxicity. The complication rate was increased in patients who continued smoking.

Consensus standards for the process of cancer care: a modified expert panel method applied to head and neck cancer. South and West Expert Tumour Panel for Head and Neck Cancer

There are many pressures to improve the standard of care delivered to cancer patients, including the reforms subsequent to the Calman-Hine report. The establishment of standards is a prerequisite for audit, benchmarking and certification of cancer centres and units. Randomized trials of head and neck cancer are uncommon, and other forms of evidence often conflicting. In the south and west of England, a multidisciplinary expert panel consensus method has been applied to the development of standards. A panel representative of specialties involved in the process of care at all three levels, plus social medicine and lay members, was constructed. A model for the process of care was developed consisting of activity areas. For each activity, a near exhaustive list of tasks and standards was established. A three-iteration method with statistical group response was then used to refine the standards. The same method was also applied to the production of a minimum data set for registration, recording and audit. The resulting standards will be regularly reviewed. We have developed a model of the care process, and an expert panel methodology that is applicable to a wide range of problems in clinical oncology.

T1/T2 glottic cancer managed by external beam radiotherapy: the influence of pretreatment hemoglobin on local control

PURPOSE

Pretreatment hemoglobin (Hb) level has been reported to be an important prognostic factor for local control and survival in various malignancies. However, in many settings, the adverse effect of a low Hb may be related to more advanced disease. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the influence of pretreatment Hb on local control in a large series of patients with a localized cancer (T1/T2 glottic cancer, AJCC 1992) treated in a standard fashion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1981 and December 1989, 735 patients (median age 63; 657 males, 78 females) with T1/T2 glottic cancer were treated with radiation therapy (RT). The standard RT prescription was 50 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks (97% of patients). Factors studied for prognostic importance for local failure included pretreatment Hb, age, sex, T category, anterior commissure involvement, subglottic extension, and tumor bulk (presence of visible tumor vs. subclinical disease).

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 6.8 years (range 0.2-14.3), 131 patients have locally relapsed for an actuarial 5-year relapse-free rate of 81.7%. The 5-year actuarial survival was 75.8%. The mean pretreatment hemoglobin level was 14.8 g/dl and was similar in all prognostic categories. On multivariate analysis, using the Cox proportional hazards model, pretreatment Hb predicted for local failure after RT. The hazard ratio (HR) for relapse was calculated for various Hb levels. For example, the HR for a Hb of 12 g/dl vs. a Hb of 15 g/dl was 1.8 (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.5). Previously established factors, including gender, T category, subglottic extension, as well as tumor bulk, were also prognostically important for local control.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis, in a large number of similarly treated patients, indicates that pretreatment Hb is an independent prognostic factor for local control in patients with T1/T2 carcinoma of the glottis treated with RT. The underlying biology of this observation needs to be explored, and using this information, it may be possible to develop strategies to improve treatment outcome.

The prognostic significance of tracheostomy in carcinoma of the larynx treated with radiotherapy and surgery for salvage

PURPOSE

To determine retrospectively the prognostic significance of airway compromise necessitating tracheostomy in carcinoma of the larynx managed with radical radiotherapy and surgery for salvage (RRSS).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The charts of 270 patients managed with RRSS at the Toronto-Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre between June 1980 and December 1990 were reviewed. Airway compromise necessitating tracheostomy was documented in 26 patients prior to radiotherapy and 3 patients during radiotherapy. Of 29, 27 had T3T4 primaries. Patients have been followed for a median of 5 years.

RESULTS

Patients managed without tracheostomy had a 2-year disease-free survival of 74% compared to 41% for those managed with tracheostomy. The adverse impact of airway compromise was more marked in patients with glottic primaries (78% vs. 32%, p = 0.0001) than those with supraglottic primaries (64% vs. 47%, p = 0.18). Tracheostomy was identified in univariate analysis, but not in multivariate analysis, as having a statistically significant impact on local control and local-regional control. Radiotherapy controlled disease above the clavicles in 185 of 267 (69%) evaluable patients. 83% of isolated local-regional failures underwent salvage surgery. Among those managed without tracheostomy, ultimate local-regional control (LRC) was achieved in 161 (94%) of 172 glottic primaries and 54 (81%) of 67 supraglottic primaries. Among those managed with tracheostomy, ultimate LRC was achieved in 9 (69%) of 13 glottic primaries and 12 (80%) of 15 supraglottic primaries. In a subset analysis of 76 patients with T3T4 primaries, there was no statistically significant difference in larynx preservation, disease-free survival, or cause-specific survival between those managed with and without tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION

Airway compromise necessitating tracheostomy is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with carcinoma of the larynx. However, larynx preservation is possible in over 40% of those undergoing tracheostomy and radiotherapy with no compromise of cause-specific survival. The need for pretreatment tracheostomy should not rule out the possibility of RRSS.

Conservative management of T1-T2N0 supraglottic cancer: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

Evaluate the results of conservative management of early-stage supraglottic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 166 consecutive T1-T2N0 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx, treated conservatively between 1983 and 1992, was performed. Sixty-six patients received conservative surgery (CS), whereas 100 patients received definitive radiation therapy (RT). Surgical procedures included horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy in 38 patients, extended supraglottic laryngectomy in 16 patients, and reconstructive laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy in 12 patients. Elective bilateral neck dissection was always performed. Radiotherapy was delivered with 60Co or 6 MV photons to the primary laryngeal tumor and the upper and mid neck nodes (level II and III), whereas supraclavicular nodes (level IV) were electively irradiated only in 54 patients with T2N0 tumors. Fifty-two patients received conventional fractionation, whereas 31 patients were irradiated according to a twice-a-day fractionation regimen. The median total tumor dose was 67 Gy (range, 64 to 72 Gy).

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival of the whole series was 72.7% +/- 4.5. In patients treated with CS, the 5-year disease-free survival was 88.4% +/- 4.5 versus 76.4% +/- 6.1 for patients who received RT. Salvage surgery was effective in rescuing 2 of 3 CS failures and 12 of 25 RT failures. The overall incidence of secondary tumors (11%) and distant metastases (5%) was relatively low, although together they account for 15% of all deaths. Complications of CS were significantly correlated to the extent of surgical procedure. A multivariate analysis performed in the RT group showed that performance status, tumor grade, and fractionation regimen significantly influenced disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

Conservative management of T1-T2N0 supraglottic cancer, either by CS or RT, can achieve good cure rates with larynx preservation for the majority of the patients (82% overall; 95% in the CS group and 72% in the RT group). The decision between different conservative treatment modalities may be influenced by the patient's conditions, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and also economic costs.

Advanced carcinoma of the larynx: results of surgery and radiotherapy without induction chemotherapy (1980-1985): a multivariate analysis

PURPOSE

Induction chemotherapy has been proposed in the case of advanced laryngeal cancer in order to preserve laryngeal function in those patients who are complete responders. To clarify the treatment policies, a retrospective multicentric analysis of 116 patients with advanced carcinoma of the larynx treated by radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy was carried out in order to evaluate prognostic factors for local control and survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1980 and 1985, 116 patients with Stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx underwent radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy with a curative intent. Treatments were very homogenous, and doses delivered were in the range of 50-65 Gy according to nodal involvement and surgical margins status.

RESULTS

The local recurrence rate and the local disease-free survival rate at 5 years were 22.5% and 76.3%, respectively. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 68.3% with 44 patients still alive with no evidence of disease (NED) with more than 5 years follow-up. For both overall survival and relapse-free survival, cervical node involvement with capsular rupture was found to be the only significant adverse pronostic factor in univariate and multivariate analysis. No other parameter was predictive either for local recurrence or for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Local prognosis and survival depend largely on nodal involvement and capsular rupture while increasing doses of radiation strategy is likely to reduce the risk of local and nodal recurrence. Preservation of functional larynx is certainly an important goal to achieve when treating advanced carcinoma of the larynx, provided that local failure rate and survival be similar. In the unique randomized study previously published in the literature comparing radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy to induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the local-regional failure rate was drastically increased in the chemotherapy arm. Other results from well-designed controlled studies are awaited before recommending systematic induction chemotherapy and larynx preservation in complete responders. On the other hand, testing synchronous or alternated chemotherapy vs. induction chemotherapy may address the pending questions about the optimal treatment of advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: do we know the questions? A survey of randomized trials from 1966-1993

BACKGROUND

Substantial lack of consensus exists regarding the appropriate management of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate why published clinical trials have not resolved this uncertainty, and to examine the potential of current randomized studies to resolve the major controversies regarding the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

A literature search identified papers addressing the therapy of locally advanced NSCLC published in the English language from January 1966 through May 1993. The treatment modalities studied in these trials were recorded. The CD-ROM Physician Data Query database was used to identify ongoing studies in NSCLC. For phase III trials in stage III NSCLC, the treatment modalities, eligibility criteria, outcome measures, and statistical considerations were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 164 reports of phase III trials were identified, representing 11% of the 1516 publications meeting search criteria. A wide range of comparisons have been reported; the number of study arms, the number of different modalities employed as control arms, and the number of modalities employed as investigational arms increased over time. Eighteen active phase III protocols open to patients with stage III NSCLC were identified. In trials which enrolled patients with stage IIIB disease, therapy in control arms employed six different strategies of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, alone or in combination, and investigational arms were equally heterogeneous. Variation was also present in the spectrum of disease stages studied, in patient eligibility criteria, and in the clinical outcome measures investigated. The magnitude of improvement in survival sought was varied in its absolute magnitude, in the selection of survival probability for the control arm, and in the time point of its evaluation.

IMPLICATIONS

We demonstrated diversity in research practice reflected in five major types of variation: (i) selection of control arms, (ii) selection of study investigational arms, (iii) choice of eligibility criteria, (iv) outcome measures selected for study, and (v) type and magnitude of benefit sought in the primary outcome measure. This variation has important implications regarding the inability of these studies to address some fundamental management controversies, and the ability to generalize the results of these trials to the general population of NSCLC patients. This diversity reflects a poorly defined process for setting the goals of clinical research. The generation of future trials may be improved by strategies that identify the most important controversies, identify important outcome measures, improve consensus among physicians, and provide the opportunity to incorporate patients' preferences in this clinical situation.