Factors of local recurrence and organ preservation with transoral laser microsurgery in laryngeal carcinomas; CHAID decision-tree analysis.

BACKGROUND: Indications of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) are conditioned by the risk of local relapse. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prognostic factors of local relapse and local control with TLM (LC-TLM). METHODS: Local relapse and LC-TLM were evaluated in 1119 patients. Logistic regression and CHAID decision tree analysis were performed. RESULTS: Local relapse correlated to previous radiotherapy failure (8.45, CI 95%: 2.64-27.03; P < .001), paraglottic involvement (2.42, CI: 1.41-4.15; P = .001), anterior commissure involvement (2.12, CI: 1.43-3.14; P < .001), grade of differentiation (1.74, CI: 1.18-2.57; P = .005), and alcohol consumption (1.4, CI: 0.99-1.98; P = .057). Local relapse tended to inversely correlate with experience (0.73, CI: 0.51-1.03; P = .078). The most important factors for local relapse were previous radiotherapy failure and anterior commissure involvement. LC-TLM inversely correlated with previous radiotherapy failure (0.09, CI: 0.03-0.28; P < .001), paraglottic involvement (0.25, CI: 0.14-0.43; P < .001), anterior commissure involvement (0.49, CI: 0.32-0.77; P = .007), margins (0.56, CI: 0.30-1.04; P = .068), and differentiation (0.68, CI: 0.44-1.05; P = .087). LC-TLM correlated with experience (1.71, CI: 1.13-2.55; P = .010). The most important factors for LC-TLM were previous radiotherapy failure and paraglottic involvement. CONCLUSION: Previous radiotherapy failure is the most important factor for local relapse and LC-TLM. In primary treatments, anterior commissure involvement and paraglottic involvement are the most important factors for local relapse and LC-TLM, respectively.

Narrow band imaging for head and neck malignancies: Lessons learned from mistakes.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of white light endoscopy in combination with narrow band imaging (WLE + NBI) for diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) does not reach 100%. We evaluated the characteristics of the false-negative and false-positive cases. METHODS: Five hundred thirty lesions of the upper airways were evaluated. The WLE was followed by NBI examination before performing a biopsy. RESULTS: The false-negative lesions (7.36%) were represented by submucosal and non-SCC tumors. Among the 25 non-SCC tumors, 72% did not show any suspicious vascular pattern under NBI. The false-positive lesions (6.04%) were mainly represented by postradiotherapy mucosal changes, ulcers, and infections. Regarding papillomas, NBI accuracy reached 95.32%, although cases with dysplasia were difficult to distinguish from SCC. CONCLUSION: The WLE + NBI improved diagnostic accuracy, but not all lesions were ideally evaluated with current defined patterns. An accurate anamnesis is mandatory, because, in some cases, it may be more relevant than the NBI pattern.

Usefulness of office examination with narrow band imaging for the diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and follow-up of premalignant lesions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of narrow band imaging (NBI) examination in the office for the diagnosis and follow-up of upper airway premalignant and malignant lesions. METHODS: Four hundred eighty lesions were evaluated with white light endoscopy (WLE) and NBI before a biopsy/excision. Additionally, 151 premalignant lesions were followed up without proven biopsy. Carcinoma-free survival was calculated. The learning curve was analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, the accuracy improved from 74.1% with WLE to 88.9% with NBI, being relevant in all anatomic subsites. The accuracy of NBI increased significantly with increasing experience (area under the curve [AUC] >0.9). After a follow-up of 25 months, 14 of 151 lesions (9.3%) converted into carcinoma. The 4-year carcinoma-free survival rate was 86.4%. The 4-year carcinoma-free survival rate differed significantly between lesions classified as benign/mild dysplasia versus those presenting as moderate/severe dysplasia (88.9% vs 73.5%; P = .018). CONCLUSION: The NBI provided a greater accuracy than WLE and showed promising usefulness for the follow-up of premalignant lesions.

Long-term quality of life after transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies showed good short-term Quality of life (QOL) after Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) for laryngeal cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate QOL after TLM in the long-term. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study. Sixty-two consecutive disease-free patients were evaluated using UW-QOL v4 and SF-12 questionnaires, 1 and 5 years after TLM. Changes over time were assessed according to age, location, and tumor size. Long-term VHI-10 was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 5.41 ± 2.02 years. No differences in the global UW-QOL score were observed between 1 and 5 years after TLM (1135.00 vs. 1127.20; P = 0.4). Activity worsened slightly in the long-term (93.03 vs. 87.70; P = 0.02). Forty-two and 58% of the patients reported that their health 1 and 5 years after treatment was much better than prior to diagnosis. Initially, 3.3% considered their health much worse, which was reduced to 1.7% at 5 years. SF-12 scores remained unchanged for both physical and mental aspects (P > 0.05). The VHI-10 was 3.81 ± 5.7 for supraglottic and 7.2 ± 9.6 for glottic tumors. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with TLM present a very good long-term QOL. Only activity deteriorates over time, while voice and swallowing remain satisfactory in the majority of patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:789-795. © 2016 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Electrochemotherapy as palliative treatment in patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma / Eletroquimioterapia como tratamento paliativo em pacientes com carcinoma papilar da tireoide

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Local progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) after failure of standard therapies may cause pain, ulceration, and bleeding. As patients are fully aware of the tumor growth, they might suffer high grade anxiety. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new local palliative treatment for skin metastases of malignant melanoma or other tumors, including squamous head e neck cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of ECT in patients with local progression of PTC. METHODS: Four patients with local progression of PTC were treated with ECT based on Bleomycin, and evaluated according to tumor response, local pain and side effects. RESULTS: In all cases, some grade of tumor response was observed, lasting 6, 7, 12 and 8 months, respectively. Also, reduction of local pain and anxiety was registered in all patients. Tumor infiltrated skin necrosis was the only collateral effect of the treatment. ECT induced a tumor response in all PTC patients with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: ECT may be an option for local palliative treatment in PTC patients with local tumor progression.

Resumo Introdução: A progressão local do carcinoma papilífero de tireoide (CPT) após a falha da terapia de rotina pode causar dor, ulceração e sangramento. Considerando que os pacientes estão perfeitamente cientes do crescimento tumoral, podem apresentar um alto grau de ansiedade. A eletroquimioterapia (EQT) é um novo tratamento paliativo para metástases de pele de melanoma maligno ou de outros tumores, inclusive em pacientes com carcinoma escamoso de cabeça e pescoço. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da EQT em pacientes com progressão local de CPT. Método: Quatro pacientes com progressão local de CPT foram tratados com EQT com base em bleomicina, e avaliados em relação ao grau de resposta tumoral, dor local, efeitos colaterais. Resultados: Em todos os casos, foi observado algum grau de resposta tumoral, que perdurou por 6, 7, 12 e 8 meses, respectivamente. Da mesma forma, foi registrada diminuição da dor local e da ansiedade em todos os pacientes. Necrose cutânea na infiltração tumoral foi o único efeito colateral do tratamento. EQT induziu resposta tumoral em todos os pacientes com CPT, com melhora dos sintomas. Conclusões: EQT pode ser uma opção para o tratamento paliativo tópico em pacientes com CPT com progressão tumoral local.

Alcohol consumption in upper aerodigestive tract cancer: Role of head and neck surgeons' recommendations.

This study aims to describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption in patients diagnosed with an upper aerodigestive tract cancer (UADTC) and evaluate the clinical impact of head and neck surgeons' recommendations on alcohol intake. An observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Socio-demographic data, type of cancer, psychiatric history, substance-use history, and DSM-IV-TR criteria for alcohol dependence were recorded. Patients were asked to report their alcohol consumption before UADTC diagnosis and during their follow-up. All patients were asked if they had received from the specialist any recommendation to reduce or stop their alcohol consumption. One hundred ninety-one patients were included. Laryngeal cancer was the most frequent. 85.3% of patients were alcohol consumers before being diagnosed, 39.8% were risky drinkers, and 13.1% had alcohol dependence. The prevalence of alcohol use decreased by 16.7% after the UADTC was diagnosed. The proportion of risky drinkers decreased from 46.6% to 24.5%. Almost half of the patients did not recall having received any recommendation regarding alcohol consumption. Receiving a recommendation was independently associated with a positive response (reduced or stopped alcohol consumption) with an Odds Ratio 3.7; p < 0.001. Prevalence of alcohol dependence and risky drinking (39.8%) is high in UADTC patients, compared to the general population. Otorhinolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons frequently provide recommendations about alcohol consumption, which has a relevant impact on the reduction of alcohol intake. Further prospective studies focused on brief advice should be performed in order to demonstrate effectiveness in this population.

Transoral laser microsurgery for locally advanced (T3-T4a) supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma: Sixteen years of experience.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of T3 to T4a supraglottic squamous carcinomas treated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis from an SPSS database. Primary outcomes were: locoregional control, overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), laryngectomy-free survival, and function-preservation rates. Secondary objectives were: rate of tracheostomies and gastrostomies according to age. Risk factors for local control and larynx preservation were also evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients were chosen for this study. Median follow-up was 40.7 + /- 32.8 months. Five and 10-year OS, DSS, and laryngectomy-free survival were 55.6% and 47%, 67.6% and 58.6%, and 75.2% and 59.5%, respectively. Paraglottic involvement was an independent factor for larynx preservation. Six patients (3.9%) needed a definitive tracheostomy, a gastrostomy, or both. The gastrostomy rate was higher in the group of patients above 65 years of age (p = .03). Five-year laryngectomy-free survival with preserved function was 74.5%. CONCLUSION: TLM constitutes a true alternative for organ preservation in locally advanced supraglottic carcinomas with good oncologic and functional outcomes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1050-1057, 2016.

Electrochemotherapy as palliative treatment in patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Local progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) after failure of standard therapies may cause pain, ulceration, and bleeding. As patients are fully aware of the tumor growth, they might suffer high grade anxiety. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new local palliative treatment for skin metastases of malignant melanoma or other tumors, including squamous head e neck cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of ECT in patients with local progression of PTC. METHODS: Four patients with local progression of PTC were treated with ECT based on Bleomycin, and evaluated according to tumor response, local pain and side effects. RESULTS: In all cases, some grade of tumor response was observed, lasting 6, 7, 12 and 8 months, respectively. Also, reduction of local pain and anxiety was registered in all patients. Tumor infiltrated skin necrosis was the only collateral effect of the treatment. ECT induced a tumor response in all PTC patients with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: ECT may be an option for local palliative treatment in PTC patients with local tumor progression.

Prognostic factors of quality of life after transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal cancer.

We aimed to evaluate factors influencing quality of life (QOL) after transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) of laryngeal cancer. Four hundred and one consecutive disease-free patients were evaluated 1 year after treatment using the University of Washington-QOL v4, the SF-12 (short form of SF-36), and a questionnaire about self-rated health status. The importance of age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, tumor stage, neck dissection and adjuvant treatment were evaluated. One year after TLM patients had a good QOL, with only 6 % of patients reporting a worsening in their health status. Radiation therapy (p = 0.000) and neck dissection (p = 0.000) were negative factors for disease-specific QOL, whereas age ≥ 70 (p = 0.01) was a positive independent factor for mental score of SF-12. Speech was negatively influenced by tumor size (p = 0.001) as was swallowing by age (p = 0.001) and postoperative radiation (p = 0.000). Patients treated with TLM present a good QOL 1 year after surgery. Radiation and neck dissection negatively impact QOL. Elderly patients cope better with their disabilities.

Prognostic significance and association of Helicobacter pylori infection in pharyngolaryngeal cancer.

The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) serologic status of patients who underwent for curative resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx and their prognosis. From April 2004 to March 2005, we included eighty patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Control group consisted of 20 healthy patients and 10 patients with Reinke's edema. Serologic status was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for immunoglobulin G. Patients were followed for 5 years. H. pylori-positive serologic status was statistically significant for the case subjects (70.6 v/s 29.4 %; p < 0.001). Mean overall and disease-free survival were 50.7 months (range 46.9-54.5) and 52.1 months (range 48.3-55.7), respectively. H. pylori-positive serologic status was not associated with a poor prognosis in the Cox regression model (p = 0.77). We observed a positive association between H. pylori infection and laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. But we fail to confirm that the presence of H. pylori infection is associated with poor outcome or a higher recurrence rate.

Quality of life after transoral laser microresection of laryngeal cancer: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In the treatment of early to moderate laryngeal carcinoma, both, transoral laser surgery and radiation-based protocols have demonstrated good survival and preservation rates. In this scenario, quality of life (QOL) may become an important tool for treatment planning. We aimed to evaluate QOL changes after transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). Prospective longitudinal study. Ninety-three consecutive disease-free patients were evaluated using UW-QOL v4 and SF-12, before and 12 months after treatment. Changes over time were assessed according to age, gender, location, tumor size, and adjuvant treatment. RESULTS: UW-QOL improved from 1,051.5 ± 133.7 to 1,121.7 ± 92.1 (P = 0.000), suggesting that the impact of the treatment was favorable in most of the patients. Voice quality significantly improved after TLM, but speech was still the most important variable for 46% of the patients. Tumor location (P = 0.002) was an independent factor for preoperative total score of UW-QOL, whereas adjuvant radiation (P = 0.03) and neck dissection (P = 0.02), were the only postoperative negative factors. CONCLUSION: One year after TLM patients present a very good QOL. Relevant voice impairment is detected especially in locally advanced tumors, reinforcing the necessity of preoperative counseling and postoperative rehabilitation. Adjuvant radiotherapy and neck dissection negatively influenced disease-specific QOL.

The learning curve in transoral laser microsurgery for malignant tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx: parameters for a levelled surgical approach.

The goal of the study was to identify parameters helpful to define a learning curve for laser microsurgery (TLM). 587 patients with malignant tumors of larynx and hypopharynx treated with TLM were divided into groups depending on the number of interventions their surgeons had performed. Outcome measures were obtained for the number of revision surgeries and complications, rates for tumor-free margins, tumor relapse and disease-specific survival rates for early and advanced tumors, serving to evaluate their potential influence on the learning curve. Surgery of early tumors was not influenced by the grade of experience. For locally advanced tumors the learning curve was statistically related to the number of surgeries needed per patient (p = 0.018). The number of overall complications (p = 0.000) and the disease-specific survival rate (p = 0.019) was significantly lower in the "expert" group. The percentage of postoperative bleedings was similar between all groups. Tumor-free margins and tumor relapse were not influenced by experience. In TLM, a learning curve could be observed for locally advanced tumors.

Outcome of transoral laser microsurgery for T2-T3 tumors growing in the laryngeal anterior commissure.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of T2 to T3 laryngeal carcinomas growing in the laryngeal anterior commissure. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of 107 patients. Overall survival, disease-specific survival, and laryngectomy-free survival were analyzed. Technical difficulties, postoperative complications, influence of the learning curve, and the number of surgeries were evaluated. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival, disease-specific survival, and laryngectomy-free survival were 71%, 79.5%, and 71.4%, respectively. The probability of tumor relapse was related to the status of the margins (p = .01) and to surgical experience (p = .02), but not to tumor exposure (p = .78) or pT category (p = .36). Disease-specific survival differed significantly between the group of patients treated in the early period of surgical experience and those treated in the advanced period of surgical experience (71% vs 94%; p = .02) CONCLUSION: TLM is a useful treatment for T2 to T3 laryngeal carcinomas growing in the laryngeal anterior commissure when it is performed under an advanced learning curve.

Weekly paclitaxel for platin-resistant stage IV head and neck cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel may be an active and well tolerated chemotherapy regimen for patients with platin-resistant advanced head and neck cancer. OBJECTIVES: Weekly paclitaxel should be an active and well tolerated regimen for palliative treatment of platin-resistant patients with recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the head and neck. We analyzed the antitumor activity and toxicity profile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with advanced head and neck cancer were treated with 1 h infusion of paclitaxel, 80 mg/m(2) weekly, for 6 consecutive weeks. Patients who showed disease response or disease stabilization continued until progression of disease. RESULTS: A total of 719 doses of paclitaxel were administered to the 60 patients. No complete response was observed. Partial response and stable disease were observed in 26 (43.3%) and 9 (15%) patients, respectively. Median time to tumor progression for patients who responded to therapy was 6.2 months (SD=1.3; 95% CI, 3.7-8.6) and the overall median survival in this group of patients was 8.5 months (SD=1.4; 95% CI, 5.7-11.2). The main toxic effects were leukopenia (26.6%), anemia (43.3%), fatigue (37.4%), alopecia (18.7%), rash/desquamation (13.3%), and thrombophlebitis (6.8%).

Distant metastases after transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Transoral CO(2) laser microsurgery (TLM) resection of laryngeal-hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas has become a standard procedure. The objective was to evaluate whether there is a relationship between TLM and a higher incidence of distant metastases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 340 consecutive patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with TLM. RESULTS: Distant metastases occurred in 24 of 340 (7.1%) patients. The mean time of distant metastases diagnosis was 19.1 months (range, 1-41) postsurgery. Univariate study demonstrated an association with alcoholism (p = .008), tumor site (p<.001), grade of differentiation (p = .032), stage (p<.001), tumor classification (T; p = .001), node involvement (N; p<.001), extracapsular node spread (p<.001), and positive surgical margin (p = .004). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, location (sinus piriform: OR = 15.37, p = .025), node involvement (N2: OR = 7.36, p = .003; N3: OR = 19.28, p = .027), and the affected surgical margin (OR 5.32; p = .005) predicted an increased likelihood of distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Development of distant metastases after TLM in patients with squamous cell carcinoma depends mainly on the tumor site, the presence of metastatic lymph node disease, and the margin status after resection.

Voice quality after CO2 laser cordectomy--what can we really expect?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic management of laryngeal carcinoma has gained popularity among laryngologists based on the good oncologic and functional results. We evaluated the voice quality after laser cordectomy for early glottic cancer in a variety of vocal situations and its relation with the extension of resection and the age. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of voice quality in 42 consecutive male patients treated for T1 glottic carcinoma with laser cordectomy. Patients were compared with 21 controls. Voice quality was self-assessed by the patients. Perceptual analysis was done by a speech pathologist on a running speech sample [GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenicity, strain)]. Acoustic analysis included fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio (N/H), and maximum phonation time (MPT) on the sustained vowels /a/ and /i/, and on various running speech voice samples. RESULTS: Distribution of the patients included in the study by T classification was as follows: Tis, n = 2 (4.8%); T1a, n = 35 (83.3%); and T1b, n = 5 (11.9%). Cordectomy types were: (I), 14%; (II), 26%; (III), 21%; and (V), 38%. Voice improved in almost 60% of patients, returning to normal in 45%. GRBAS showed significant differences between patients and controls and correlated with type of cordectomy. Acoustic analysis showed significant differences in F0, and jitter, with smaller differences in shimmer, N/H, and MPT. CONCLUSION: Voice quality after laser cordectomy differs from controls, but improves in a majority of patients after the surgery, with almost 50% of patients with subjective normal or near normal voice. Voice quality depends on type of cordectomy.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a predictive factor in metronomic (weekly) Paclitaxel treatment for advanced head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a prognostic factor in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with metronomic (weekly) paclitaxel. DESIGN: Before-and-after trial. PATIENTS: A total of 33 consecutive patients were enrolled. Patients with recurrent and/or metastatic cancer of the head and neck refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy met inclusion criteria. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. INTERVENTION: Patients were treated weekly with 80 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were collected after each dose and analyzed for serum VEGF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze serum VEGF levels. RESULTS: In 33 patients, complete response was achieved in 1 (3%) and partial response in 20 (61%). No differences were found between responders and nonresponders with different levels of serum VEGF at any of the measurement times (baseline, after the first dose, and after the sixth dose). In responders, the median level of serum VEGF decreased after the first dose compared with baseline, but by the sixth dose, the median serum VEGF level had returned to baseline levels in all groups. The intensity of the serum VEGF level decrease (simple decrease, a decrease of at least 30%, or a decrease of at least 70%) was not related to response. The progression-to-disease time increased in the patients with a serum VEGF level reduction of at least 30% (P = .01) after 6 doses and decreased in patients with initially high levels, which remained high after the sixth dose (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Serum VEGF levels after the first dose of paclitaxel may predict response to weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Initially high serum VEGF levels that persist after the sixth dose predict a shorter period until tumor progression.

Base of tongue neurilemmoma: excision by transoral laser microsurgery.

Benign and malignant tumors of the tongue base can be removed by various surgical approaches. A rare case of neurilemmoma of the base of the tongue removed by transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) is presented. Schwannomas in this area usually present as a slow-growing, painless mass on the tongue surface. In this case, fiberoptic examination and magnetic resonance imaging were crucial as first step studies to elucidate the biology of the lesion.

Orbitoethmoid aneurysmal bone cyst. Case report and literature review.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, vascular, variable growing and expansive lesion that can occur in any part of the skeletal system, but mainly in long bones and vertebrae. We present a case of orbitoethmoid aneurysmal bone cyst in a 62-year-old female presenting epiphora. Nasal endoscopy was normal. Sinus CTscan revealed an expansive mass in the right ethmoid sinus extending and destroying the right lamina papiracea. The tumor was completely resected through paralateral rhinotomy. Histological analysis showed fibrous septa containing multinucleated giant cells and bone tissue surrounding blood vessel lumens, bordered by endothelial cells. These findings are characteristic of aneurysmal bone cysts. After 30 months of postoperative follow-up the patient remains disease-free and asymptomatic.

CO2 laser surgery: a larynx preservation alternative for selected hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Transoral CO2 laser surgery (TLS) has demonstrated good oncologic results and low morbidity in the treatment of selected laryngeal carcinomas, but experience in hypopharyngeal carcinomas (HC) is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of TLS in the treatment of selected HC. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with HC were treated with TLS and neck dissection. Tumors with preoperative invasion of thyroid cartilage at CT, deep growth into the cervical space or tongue base, and tumors crossing the posterior midline or involving the cervical esophagus were excluded. Postoperative radiation to the neck was administered when more than one lymph node was involved, when the metastasis diameter was greater than 2 cm, or when extranodal spread was found at the pathologic study. RESULTS: The sample included two T1, 16 T2, nine T3, and one T4 tumors. Stage classification was: II, 21.4%; III, 28.6%; and IV, 50%. Four-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 43.4% and 59.4%, respectively, with 78.5% function preservation. Nine patients (32.1%) did not need a nasogastric feeding tube. The mean duration of the feeding tube in the remaining patients was 15.27 +/- 27.3 days. We had two postoperative bleeding episodes that required endoscopic coagulation and three postoperative pneumonias caused by aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: TLS is an alternative for the treatment of selected HC associated with a high larynx preservation rate.