[Overall survival, organ preservation, function preservation: the role of surgery in the treatment of laryngeal cancer].

Abstract

The prognosis of early stage laryngeal carcinoma treated with radiation therapy or surgery (preferably transoral resection) is favorable. In these cases, the choice of the therapy is mainly driven by functional outcomes (speech, swallowing and respiratory function). However, there has not been any substantial improvement in the treatment of locoregionally advanced larynx cancer. The selection of the most ideal therapy is difficult, as upfront total laryngectomy is rather radical, and has a dramatic effect on quality of life, whereas reliable predictors of radiosensitivity are lacking. Moreover, current data undermines the oncologic effectiveness of salvage laryngectomy. In this review, we summarize the current anatomical and functional facts and concepts with respect to the previous clinical trials and studies that might influence the decision making during the treatment of a laryngeal cancer patient in 2025.