Transoral laser microsurgery of recurrent early glottic cancer after radiation therapy: clinical feasibility and limitations

Boron neutron capture therapy as a larynx-preserving treatment for locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after conventional radiation therapy: A preliminary report

OBJECTIVE

Laryngeal preservation and a radical cure are the treatment goals for laryngeal carcinoma, and larynx-preserving therapy is generally preferred for early-stage laryngeal carcinoma. When laryngeal carcinoma recurs locally, patients are often forced to undergo total laryngectomy, resulting in loss of vocal function. However, many patients with laryngeal carcinoma who have residual or recurrent disease after radiotherapy wish to preserve their voice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of using BNCT as a larynx-preserving treatment for residual or recurrent laryngeal carcinomas following radical irradiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 15 patients who underwent BNCT for residual or recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after radical laryngeal carcinoma irradiation. The number of treatment sessions for all patients was one irradiation. Before BNCT, the recurrent laryngeal carcinoma stage was rT1aN0, rT2N0, rT2N1, rT3N0, rT3N1, and rT4aN0 in one, six, one, three, one, and three patients, respectively. The median maximum tumor diameter before BNCT was 15 mm (8-22 mm). All patients underwent a tracheostomy before BNCT to mitigate the risk of upper airway stenosis due to laryngeal edema after BNCT. Treatment efficacy was evaluated retrospectively using monthly laryngoscopy after BNCT and contrast-enhanced CT scans at 3 months. The safety of treatment was evaluated based on examination findings and interviews with patients.

RESULTS

The median hospital stay after BNCT was 2 days (1-6). The response rate at three months after BNCT in 15 patients with locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma was 93.3 %, and the CR rate was 73.3 %. The most frequent adverse event associated with BNCT was laryngeal edema, which occurred in nine patients the day after BNCT. The average course of laryngeal edema peaked on the second day after BNCT and almost recovered after 1 week in all patients. One patient had bilateral vocal fold movement disorders. None had dyspnea because of prophylactic tracheostomy. No grade four or higher adverse events occurred. Other grade 2 adverse events included pharyngeal mucositis, diarrhea, and sore throat. Three months after BNCT, tracheostomy tubes were removed in nine patients, retinal cannulas were placed in three patients, and voice cannulas were placed in three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

BNCT for locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma can safely deliver radical irradiation to tumor tissues, even in patients undergoing radical irradiation. BNCT has shown antitumor effects against recurrent laryngeal carcinoma. However, further long-term observations of the treatment outcomes are required.

Transoral Laser Microsurgery in Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the oncological outcomes of salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of patients suffering from recurrent laryngeal cancer.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched. English language, original studies investigating oncological outcomes of TLM in adult patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer were included. Data were pooled using a distribution-free approach for estimating summary local control (LC), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) curves with random effects.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-five patients underwent salvage TLM after primary (chemo)radiotherapy. The mean follow-up time was 60.8 months (95% CI: 32.7-88.9). Estimated pooled LC rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 74.2% (61.7-89.4), 53.9% (38.5-75.3), and 39.1% (25.2-60.8). Estimated pooled DSS rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 88.4% (82.0-95.3), 67.8% (50.9-90.3), and 58.9% (42.7-81.1). Two hundred and seventy-one patients underwent TLM after primary laser treatment. The mean follow-up time was 70.9 months (95% CI: 36.9-104.9). Estimated pooled LC rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 72.2% (64.7-80.6), 53.2% (42.2-66.9), and 40.4% (29.6-55.2). Estimated pooled DSS rates (95% CI) at 1, 3 and 5 years were 92.1% (85.5-99.1), 77.0% (64.4-92.0), and 67.1% (51.6-87.3).

CONCLUSIONS

TLM is a valuable treatment option for the management of locally recurrent laryngeal carcinoma if performed by experienced surgeons and following rigorous patients' selection criteria. Further studies should be conducted to define stage-based clinical guidelines.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 133:1425-1433, 2023.

Salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal cancer after (chemo)radiotherapy: a European Laryngological Society consensus statement

Purpose

To provide expert opinion and consensus on salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO₂ TOLMS) for recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) after (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT].

Methods

Expert members of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) Cancer and Dysplasia Committee were selected to create a dedicated panel on salvage CO₂ TOLMS for LSCC. A series of statements regarding the critical aspects of decision-making were drafted, circulated, and modified or excluded in accordance with the Delphi process.

Results

The expert panel reached full consensus on 19 statements through a total of three sequential evaluation rounds. These statements were focused on different aspects of salvage CO₂ TOLMS, with particular attention on preoperative diagnostic work-up, treatment indications, postoperative management, complications, functional outcomes, and follow-up.

Conclusion

Management of recurrent LSCC after (C)RT is challenging and is based on the need to find a balance between oncologic and functional outcomes. Salvage CO₂ TOLMS is a minimally invasive approach that can be applied to selected patients with strict and careful indications. Herein, a series of statements based on an ELS expert consensus aimed at guiding the main aspects of CO₂ TOLMS for LSCC in the salvage setting is presented.

Salvage surgery for residual or recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after (Chemo)radiotherapy: Oncological outcomes and prognostic factors

Nonsurgical primary treatment of early and advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, employing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, is considered a standard of care in many centers throughout the world. When patients have persistent or recurrent disease after non-surgical treatment, salvage surgery is frequently the only remaining potentially curative treatment. Depending on the extent of the residual/recurrent disease, different surgical salvage options are at the surgeon's disposal. In selected cases with limited local disease, salvage transoral laser microsurgery, transoral robotic surgery and open partial laryngectomies can be employed to achieve cure while preserving laryngeal function. For more advanced cases total laryngectomy is necessary. Identifying situations with unacceptable results from surgical salvage may guide future therapies.

Early glottic cancer recurrence: A critical review on its current management

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent early glottic cancer (rEGC) poses several issues in terms of timely diagnosis, correct re-staging, and treatment. We want to critically review the latest evidence about rEGC considering its epidemiology, biology, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature using PubMed from 1990 to October 31, 2020 was performed.

RESULTS

There are many different treatment options available (open surgery, transoral mini-invasive surgery, radiotherapy), and many factors related to the patient's status and previous treatments must be considered when planning the best management strategy for rEGC. While its overall prognosis remains satisfactory, it is of the utmost importance to appreciate all the clinical implications derived from the choice of the initial therapeutic modality, and from a correct primary and recurrent staging.

CONCLUSION

The balance between oncological and voice and swallowing functions represents the fundamental principle underlying rEGC management. Future studies should focus on molecular profiling of rEGC, and on the results of the emerging radiation delivery techniques and mini-invasive procedures.

The investigation of salvage endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery after chemoradiotherapy

Introduction

Endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS) is an effective treatment for early-stage oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Since 2007, we have performed ELPS on 14 patients with early-stage cancer who had undergone radiation therapy (salvage ELPS). We discuss the beneficial effects and issues with salvage ELPS compared with those of fresh patients since we experienced some severe complications, such as ruptured pseudoaneurysm with salvage ELPS.

Aim

To our knowledge, the efficacy and safety of ELPS following radiation therapy have not yet been evaluated, and several unknown factors exist. An evaluation was performed for assessing whether ELPS following radiation therapy is safe, similar to findings in fresh cases previously reported by us, and whether this treatment method can be efficacious.

Material and methods

We studied the cases of 14 patients who had undergone salvage ELPS after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer at Akita University Hospital between 2007 and 2018.

Results

The rate of recurrence of head and neck cancer at different sites after salvage ELPS was 48.9% at 2 years. Furthermore, deformation of the pharyngolarynx made it extremely difficult to perform surgery. We also experienced extremely severe complications of ruptured pseudoaneurysms.

Conclusions

If salvage ELPS is performed after radiation therapy, patients should be followed up on an outpatient basis to monitor the onset of subsequent cancers. Complications may become severe; therefore, postoperative management should be performed cautiously. In particular, vulnerable sites, such as the piriform sinus, may not be indicated for surgery. At this stage, the expectation is that patients need to be methodically selected.

Double pyramid technique of transoral laser partial laryngectomy for radiorecurrent laryngeal cancer

Management of recurrent head and neck cancer is challenging. Surgical treatments for residual or radiorecurrent laryngeal cancer include total laryngectomy, open partial laryngectomy and transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). TLM has been shown to achieve good oncological and functional outcomes in radiorecurrent laryngeal cancer. We describe a case of a patient with radiorecurrent T2 (rT2) with impaired vocal cord mobility laryngeal cancer who underwent transoral laser partial laryngectomy using our proposed double pyramid technique. It encompasses two steps: resection of the superior and inferior pyramids. Full resection is achieved by staying close to the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. In this technique, the dissection principle is to remove anterior commissure in two pyramid fashions without having to actually follow the tumour. This method is easy and simple to master. Two years postoperatively, the patient has no signs of recurrence and is able to use her voice and has full swallowing ability.

Up-Front and Salvage Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Early Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single Centre Retrospective Case Series

Introduction/aim

Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is a minimally invasive surgical alternative for radiotherapy (RT) in the primary management of early glottic cancer. More recently, TLM emerged also as a possible salvage treatment for selected radiorecurrent cancers. We reviewed outcomes of primary and salvage TLM performed in a Belgian tertiary referral center.

Patients and methods

A retrospective review of records from 142 consecutive patients who underwent TLM was performed. Oncologic outcomes were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier estimates. Variation of estimated outcomes between different subgroups was evaluated using Log-Rank analysis.

Results

Of 142 patients, 109 (76.8%) underwent TLM as a primary treatment and 33 (23.2%) were treated in a salvage setting for recurrent or second primary glottic cancer. cT classification in the up-front TLM group was cT1a in 72 (66.1%), cT1b in 11 (10.1%), and cT2 in 26 (23.9%) patients. In the salvage group, patients were cT/rT classified as cT1a-rT1a in 17 (51.5%), cT1b-rT1b in 1 (3.0%), cT2-rT2 in 14 (42.4%), and cT3-rT3 in 1 (3.0%) patients. All patients were cN0. Second-look TLM was performed in 28 patients (19.7%), and RT was associated as adjuvant therapy in 5 patients (3.5%). Mean follow-up was 51.6 months (SD = 38.4 months). Three-year overall survival (OS) was 94.1% (SE = 2.2%), 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) 100%, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) 80.1% (SE = 3.8%), 3-year local recurrence-free survival (RFS) 81.0% (SE = 3.7%), and 3-year ultimate local control rate with laser alone 89.2% (SE = 3.0%). Upon subgroup analysis, no differences in OS, DSS, and DFS were observed between the up-front and salvage group (log rank; p = 0.306, p = 0.298, and p = 0.061 respectively). However, local RFS and ultimate local control rate with laser alone were significantly higher in the primary treated TLM group (log rank, p = 0.014 and p = 0.012). Five-year laryngeal preservation rate was 89.7% (SE = 3.5%) in the total population, 100% in the upfront group, and 64.9% (SE = 9.8%) in the salvage group, a difference which proved statistically significant (Log-Rank, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This retrospective study confirms excellent oncologic outcomes of up-front TLM for early glottic cancer. In the salvage setting, TLM allows avoidance of total laryngectomy in the majority of cases.

Guidelines for the Surgical Management of Laryngeal Cancer: Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to develop clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. This Task Force conducted a systematic search of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to identify relevant articles, using search terms selected according to the key questions. Evidence-based recommendations were then created on the basis of these articles. An external expert review and Delphi questionnaire were applied to reach consensus regarding the recommendations. The resulting guidelines focus on the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer with the assumption that surgery is the selected treatment modality after a multidisciplinary discussion in any context. These guidelines do not, therefore, address non-surgical treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The committee developed 62 evidence-based recommendations in 32 categories intended to assist clinicians during management of patients with laryngeal cancer and patients with laryngeal cancer, and counselors and health policy-makers.

Outcomes of transoral laser microsurgical management of T1b stage glottic cancer

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the oncological and voice outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery for tumour stage T1b stage glottic cancer patients.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study in a tertiary care head and neck cancer centre included tumour–node–metastasis stage T1bN0M0 glottic cancer patients scheduled to undergo transoral laser microsurgery from January 2002 until June 2014. Kaplan–Meier five-year analyses of local control, overall survival, disease-specific survival and laryngeal preservation were performed. Voice Handicap Index-10 scores and maximum phonation times were also recorded.

Results:

Twenty-one participants with a mean age of 66.8 years were enrolled. The mean follow up was 56.5 months. Kaplan–Meier 5-year survival analysis illustrated a local control rate of 82 per cent, overall survival of 88 per cent, disease-specific survival of 100 per cent, and laryngeal preservation of 100 per cent. The pre-operative Voice Handicap Index-10 score was 19.1 ± 9.47 (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) and the post-operative scores were 13.5 ± 9.29 at three months, 10.44 ± 9.70 at one year and 5.83 ± 4.91 at two years. The pre-operative maximum phonation time was 16.23 ± 5.46 seconds (mean ± SD) and the post-operative values were 14.44 ± 6.73 seconds at three months, 15.27 ± 5.71 seconds at one year and 14.33 ± 6.44 seconds at two years.

Conclusion:

Transoral laser microsurgery yields relatively high rates of oncological control and acceptable voice outcomes, and thus shows utility as a primary treatment modality for T1b glottic cancer.

Salvage Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Radiorecurrent Laryngeal Cancer: Indications, Limits, and Outcomes

Purpose of Review

The aim of this report is to identify relevant literature reports on salvage transoral laser microsurgery (TLM); to consider its oncologic and functional outcomes, as well as reported complications; and to address indications and limitations of salvage TLM.

Findings

The weighted average of local control after first salvage TLM was 57%. Repeated TLM procedures for second or third recurrences were required in up to 41% of cases, resulting in a weighted average of local control with TLM alone of 67%. The rate of definite laryngeal preservation was 73%. The ultimate local control rate, including cases that required total laryngectomy, was 90%. The overall complication rate after salvage TLM was 14%.

Summary

Salvage TLM of radiorecurrent laryngeal cancer yields excellent oncologic outcomes. Serious complications are scarce, hospitalization times are short, and functional outcomes in terms of voice and swallowing are favorable when compared to open conservation laryngeal surgery. The key to success is an optimal patient selection.

Salvage Transoral Videolaryngoscopic Surgery for radiorecurrent hypopharyngeal and supraglottic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of Transoral Videolaryngoscopic Surgery (TOVS) for radiorecurrent supraglottic and hypopharyngeal cancer, and to compare survival and complications between primary and radiorecurrent cases.

METHODS

Twelve cases of salvage TOVS for radiorecurrent cancer and 53 cases of TOVS as an initial treatment (primary cases) were evaluated. Days to resume soft diet, Functional Outcomes of Swallowing Scale (FOSS), postoperative complications, epithelization days and survival outcomes were assessed by retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

FOSS score was significantly worse in salvage cases compared with primary cases. Bleeding and airway compromise was slightly greater in salvage cases than in primary cases; however, this was not statistically significant. Wound healing was significantly delayed in salvage cases compared with primary cases (P<0.001). In primary cases, wounds were re-epithelized within 60 days in 83% of patients and within 90 days in almost all patients, while in salvage cases 42% of patients required more than 90 days for wound healing. In salvage cases, the 5-year overall survival, disease specific survival rate, local control rate, and laryngeal preservation rate was 85.7%, 85.7%, 62.5%, and 78.0%, respectively, and 85.7%, 98.0%, 91.3%, and 97.8%, respectively, for primary cases. Local control rate was significantly better in primary cases than in salvage cases.

CONCLUSION

Salvage TOVS was feasible in highly selected cases. After serial transoral surgery, the final laryngeal preservation rate was satisfactory. Swallowing function in salvage cases tended to be worse than in primary cases, and a significantly longer time was required for wound healing.

Functional Outcomes after Salvage Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) has been increasingly used in lieu of total laryngectomy to treat malignancy after definitive radiation. There are few data in the literature regarding functional outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed voice and swallowing outcomes in patients who underwent TLM for recurrent laryngeal carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients were identified with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx after definitive radiation therapy from 2001 to 2013: 28 patients with glottic recurrence and 14 with supraglottic recurrence. Swallowing outcomes were evaluated by gastrostomy tube dependence, the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, and the Functional Oral Intake Scale. Voice outcomes were evaluated by the Voice Handicap Index and observer-rated perceptual analysis.

RESULTS

No significant difference was noted between mean pre- and postoperative MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory scores: 78.25 and 74.9, respectively (P = .118, t = 1.6955). Mean Functional Oral Intake Scale scores after TLM for supraglottic and glottic recurrences were 6.4 and 6.6, respectively. Of 42 patients, 17 (40.5%) required a gastrostomy tube either during radiation or in conjunction with the salvage procedure. Of 17 patients, 15 resumed sufficient oral diet for tube removal. Patients' mean Voice Handicap Index score did increase from 34.3 to 51.5 (P = .047), and their mean perceptual score did decrease from 60.0 to 45.3 (P = .005). However, at 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in perceptual score: 61.1 to 57.1 (P = .722).

CONCLUSIONS

TLM is a successful surgical option for recurrent laryngeal cancer with acceptable functional outcomes.