Cost-effectiveness of hypofractionated versus conventional fractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of men with early glottic cancer: a study in the Brazilian public and private health system.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate whether hypofractionated radiotherapy (HYPOFRT) is a cost-effective strategy than conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) for early-stage glottic cancer (ESGC) in the Brazilian public and private health systems. METHODS: Adopting the perspective of the Brazilian public and private health system as the payer, a Markov model with a lifetime horizon was built to delineate the health states for a cohort of 65-year-old men after with ESGC treated with either HYPOFRT or CFRT. Probabilities of controlled disease, local failure, distant metastasis, and death and utilities scores were extracted from randomized clinical trials. Costs were based on the public and private health system reimbursement values. RESULTS: In the base case scenario, for both the public and private health systems, HYPOFRT dominated CFRT, being more effective and less costly, with a negative ICER of R$264.32 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) (public health system) and a negative ICER of R$2870.69/ QALY (private health system). The ICER was most sensitive to the probability of local failure, controlled disease, and salvage treatment costs. For the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicates that there is a probability of 99.99% of HYPOFRT being cost-effective considering a willingness-to-pay threshold of R$2,000 ($905.39) per QALY (public sector) and willingness-to-pay threshold of R$16,000 ($7243.10) per QALY (private sector). The results were robust in deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Considering a threshold of R$ 40,000 per QALY, HYPOFRT was cost-effective compared to CFRT for ESGC in the Brazilian public health system. The Net Monetary Benefit (NMB) is approximately 2,4 times (public health system) and 5,2 (private health system) higher for HYPOFRT than CFRT, which could open the opportunity of incorporating new technologies.

Transcutaneous injection of triamcinolone acetonide for persistent glottic granulation after laser microsurgery

Abstract Objective The aim of study was to demonstrate that transcutaneous intralesional injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) under fibrolaryngoscopy could be an option for persistent granulation after Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) in glottic cancer patients. Methods We recruited 32 patients, who had conservative treatment but failed. 20 patients accepted TA injection monthly until the granulation disappeared or did not shrink further. 12 patients chose to closely monitor. Results For the 20 patients, 17 (85.0%) patients' granulations completely disappeared. 3 (15.0%) patients' granulations had reduced 80%. For the 12 patients, 3 (25.0%) patients' granulations disappeared but 9 (75%) patients' granulations did not have an obvious change. Recurrence was not observed. Conclusion Our experience showed that transcutaneous intralesional TA injection for persistent granulation after TLM through cricothyroid membrane is an efficient, security, harmless and low recurrence method. Especially suitable for huge granulation which blocks the glottis and recur after a second operation.

Transcutaneous injection of triamcinolone acetonide for persistent glottic granulation after laser microsurgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to demonstrate that transcutaneous intralesional injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) under fibrolaryngoscopy could be an option for persistent granulation after Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) in glottic cancer patients. METHODS: We recruited 32 patients, who had conservative treatment but failed. 20 patients accepted TA injection monthly until the granulation disappeared or did not shrink further. 12 patients chose to closely monitor. RESULTS: For the 20 patients, 17 (85.0%) patients' granulations completely disappeared. 3 (15.0%) patients' granulations had reduced 80%. For the 12 patients, 3 (25.0%) patients' granulations disappeared but 9 (75%) patients' granulations did not have an obvious change. Recurrence was not observed. CONCLUSION: Our experience showed that transcutaneous intralesional TA injection for persistent granulation after TLM through cricothyroid membrane is an efficient, security, harmless and low recurrence method. Especially suitable for huge granulation which blocks the glottis and recur after a second operation.

Preliminary Correlation of the Immunoexpression of Cathepsin B and E-Cadherin Proteins in Vocal Fold Leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVES: Early identification of vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL), which has a risk of progressing to malignant transformation, remains a controversial topic. The identification of biological markers for diagnosing these lesions would lead to a more effective treatment. We aimed to analyze the immunoexpression of cathepsin B and E-cadherin in VFL and correlate it with clinical and epidemiological data and disease prognosis. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with VFL treated with microsurgery were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were distributed according to the histological results into Group A (low grade) and Group B (high grade). The expression of markers was quantitatively determined as per their staining intensity and tissue distribution using ImageLab. The index of expression (IE) of each marker was correlated with tobacco and alcohol consumption, signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux, and local recurrence of the lesion. RESULTS: The correlation between the IE of markers and variables within the two groups (A and B) demonstrated that patients in Group B with local recurrence had a higher IE of cathepsin B. When all patients (A + B) were included, the same analysis demonstrated that the IE of cathepsin B was higher among smokers and patients who did not show signs of reflux and that the IE of E-cadherin was higher only in patients with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Patients with moderate to severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ who smoked as well as had a high IE of cathepsin B were more prone to local recurrence. Regardless of the type of histological lesion, patients with signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux had a lower IE of cathepsin B. The IE of E-cadherin was higher among patients with VFL who relapsed after initial treatment.

Prognostic role of margin status in open and CO2 laser cordectomy for T1a-T1b glottic cancer / Papel prognóstico do estado da margem cirúrgica na cordectomia aberta e com laser de CO2 em câncer glótico T1a-T1b

Abstract Introduction Cordectomy by laringofissure and transoral laser surgery has been proposed for the treatment of early glottic cancer. Objectives The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic value of margin status in 162 consecutive cases of early glottic carcinoma (Tis-T1) treated with CO2 laser endoscopic surgery (Group A) or laryngofissure cordectomy (Group B), and to compare the oncologic and functional results. Methods Clinical prognostic factors, local recurrence rate according to margin status, overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results Margin status is related to recurrence rate in both groups (p < 0.05) without significant differences between open and laser cordectomy (p > 0.05). The 5 years overall survival and disease-free survival were respectively 90.48% and 85.71% in Group A; 88.14% and 86.44% in Group B (p > 0.05). Lower tracheostomy rate, earlier recovery of swallowing function and shorter hospital stay were observed in Group A (p < 0.05). Conclusions Margin status has a prognostic role in T1a-T1b glottic cancer. Transoral laser surgery showed similar oncologic results of open cordectomy, with better functional outcomes.

Resumo Introdução Cordectomia por laringofissura e cirurgia transoral a laser têm sido propostas para o tratamento do câncer glótico inicial. Objetivos O objetivo desse estudo retrospectivo foi avaliar o valor prognóstico do estado da margem em 162 casos consecutivos de carcinoma glótico inicial (Tis-T1) tratado com cirurgia endoscópica a laser de CO2 (Grupo A) ou cordectomia por laringofissura (Grupo B) e comparar resultados oncológicos e funcionais. Método Foram analisados fatores prognósticos clínicos, taxa de recorrência local de acordo com o estado da margem, sobrevida global e sobrevida livre de doença. Resultados O estado de margem está relacionado à taxa de recorrência em ambos os grupos (p < 0,05) sem diferenças significativas entre cordectomia aberta e cirurgia a laser (p > 0,05). A sobrevida global de cinco anos e a sobrevida livre de doença foram, respectivamente, 90,48% e 85,71% no Grupo A; 88,14% e 86,44% no Grupo B (p > 0,05). Menor taxa de traqueostomia, recuperação mais rápida da função de deglutição e menor tempo de internação foram observados no Grupo A (p < 0,05). Conclusões O estado da margem tem papel prognóstico no câncer glótico T1a-T1b. A cirurgia a laser transoral mostrou resultados oncológicos semelhantes aos da cordectomia aberta, com melhores resultados funcionais.

Prognostic role of margin status in open and CO2 laser cordectomy for T1a-T1b glottic cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Cordectomy by laringofissure and transoral laser surgery has been proposed for the treatment of early glottic cancer. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic value of margin status in 162 consecutive cases of early glottic carcinoma (Tis-T1) treated with CO2 laser endoscopic surgery (Group A) or laryngofissure cordectomy (Group B), and to compare the oncologic and functional results. METHODS: Clinical prognostic factors, local recurrence rate according to margin status, overall survival and disease-free survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Margin status is related to recurrence rate in both groups (p<0.05) without significant differences between open and laser cordectomy (p>0.05). The 5 years overall survival and disease-free survival were respectively 90.48% and 85.71% in Group A; 88.14% and 86.44% in Group B (p>0.05). Lower tracheostomy rate, earlier recovery of swallowing function and shorter hospital stay were observed in Group A (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Margin status has a prognostic role in T1a-T1b glottic cancer. Transoral laser surgery showed similar oncologic results of open cordectomy, with better functional outcomes.

Cáncer glótico temprano: influencia del tratamiento primario en la funcionalidad de la voz / Early glottic cancer: influence of primary treatment on the performance voice

Objetivo: Describir en pacientes con cáncer glótico temprano tratado con cirugía y radioterapia, la calidad y funcionalidad de la voz. Diseño: Estudio de serie de casos. Materiales y métodos: Los parámetros objetivos de la voz fueron evaluados con análisis acústico. La funcionalidad de la voz fue evaluada con el índice de incapacidad vocal (VHI). El análisis estadístico fue realizado con SPSS 11.5 y SuperSMITHWeibull. Resultados: 12 sujetos que recibieron tratamiento para cáncer glótico temprano fueron incluidos en la muestra. El seguimiento clínico fue de 53.1 meses en promedio. El control de la enfermedad se observó en 100% de los casos, sin recaídas. El análisis acústico evaluó lafrecuencia fundamental de la voz, que fue normal en 63,6% de los casos; adicionalmente las medidas del Jitter y Shimmer fueron anormales en todos los pacientes. El valor del índice de incapacidad mostró una disfuncionalidad leve en 58,4% de los casos y normal en 41,6% de los casos. Conclusionese importancia clínica: El manejo del cáncer glótico temprano con cirugía y radioterapia resultó en una alteración de los parámetros objetivos de la voz en todos los sujetos; sin embargo, en nuestra muestra los pacientes refieren poca o ninguna disfuncionalidad en la vida diaria.

Objective: To describe on an adult population with early glottic cancer, treated with surgery and radiotherapy, the voice quality and functional outcome. Design: Case series study. Materials andMethods: Voice parameters were assessed using acoustic analysis. Voice functional outcome was evaluated with the voice handicap index (VHI). Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS 11.5 and SuperSMITHWeibull. Results: 12 subjects that received treatment for early glottic cancer were included in the sample. The subjects were followed up during an average of 53.1 months. Effective control of disease without relapse was observed in 100% of the cases. The acoustic analysis assessed the fundamental frequency which was normal in 63,63% of the cases. Moreover, the mean of the Jitter and Shimmer was abnormal in the whole sample. The voice handicap index revealed a mild impairment in 58,4% of subjects, and was normal in 41,6% of cases. Conclusion and clinical significance: The management of early glottic cancer with surgery and radiotherapy resulted in alterations of objective voice parameters in the whole sample, however the patients report mild or none voice dysfunction on their daily life.