T3 laryngeal cancer, primary surgery vs planned combined radiotherapy and surgery

T3-T4 laryngeal cancer in The Netherlands Cancer Institute; 10-year results of the consistent application of an organ-preserving/-sacrificing protocol

BACKGROUND

Both organ-preserving concurrent (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT) and organ-sacrificing surgery (total laryngectomy) are used for treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer. The purpose of this study was to present the assessment of our treatment protocol for T3 (C)RT and T4 disease (total laryngectomy + postoperative RT).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 182 consecutive patients (1999-2008). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) in relation to stage and treatment.

RESULTS

One hundred two patients received RT (82.4% T3), 20 patients CRT (60.0% T3), and 60 patients total laryngectomy + RT (91.7% T4). Five-year OS: T3 52%, T4 48%, for RT 50%, for CRT 43%, and for total laryngectomy + RT 52%. Five-year laryngectomy-free interval was 72% after RT, and 83% after CRT.

CONCLUSION

There were no differences in survival according to T classification or treatment modality. Because the majority of T3 laryngeal cancers were treated with (C)RT and the majority of T4 with total laryngectomy + RT, this gives food for thought on whether the present protocol for T3 laryngeal cancer is optimal.

A randomized trial of PET scanning to improve diagnostic yield of direct laryngoscopy in patients with suspicion of recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy

The RELAPS study (REcurrent LAryngeal carcinoma PET Study) was designed to determine whether FDG-PET is of value in the selection of patients for direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia in patients with suspicion of recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. In a randomized controlled clinical trial the current diagnostic practice, i.e. all patients undergo direct laryngoscopy, will be compared to a strategy in which FDG-PET selects the patients for laryngoscopy. All eight head and neck cancer centers of the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology Cooperative Group NWHHT will participate in this multicenter trial. The study population consists of patients with clinical suspicion of recurrent T2-T4 laryngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy (without obvious signs of tumor) in whom a direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia with taking of biopsies is indicated by the local physician. The primary efficacy endpoint is the difference in the number of futile indications for direct laryngoscopy between the conventional diagnostic arm and the FDG-PET based diagnostic arm. An indication for laryngoscopy is classified as futile if this laryngoscopy was negative and no recurrence was diagnosed within 6 months follow-up (gold standard). The FDG-PET based strategy may increase the risk of missing recurrent tumor compared to current practice. Safety endpoints include survival and morbidity due to laryngoscopy with taking of biopsies. Survival rates of both groups will have to be collected outside the time frame of the funded trial. Resectability of recurrent tumor and tumor negative surgical margins after total laryngectomy will be used as proxy endpoints. The trial will also compare quality of life and direct medical costs between both arms.

Surgical management of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer surgery continues to evolve through the years and undergo improvement and refinement. In this article, the current state of head and neck cancer surgery is summarized in a site-by-site basis. The most important developments include organ-sparing surgery and microvascular free-tissue transfer for reconstruction.