The treatment of early laryngeal cancers (T1-T2 N0): surgery or irradiation?

Background: Carcinoma of the larynx is the most common cancer affecting the head and neck region. In Northern Europe, early laryngeal cancer is almost universally treated by irradiation, but elsewhere it is treated by surgery. The main aim of this study was to determine whether there was any difference in survival between the two main therapeutic options.

A study of the effect of a resistive heat moisture exchanger (Trachinaze) on pulmonary function and blood gas tensions in patients who have undergone a laryngectomy: a randomized control trial of 50 patients studied over a 6-month period.

Background: Previous work from this department has shown that resistive tracheostomy filters increase the partial pressure of oxygen in capillary blood and also provide a significant amount of heat/moisture exchange. Until now it has not been shown whether there is any long-term beneficial effect and in particular whether raised tissue oxygenation is maintained using a practical filter device.

Methods: We carried out a 6-month randomized control trial including 50 laryngectomees.

The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil with neck node metastases.

Background: Patients with tonsillar carcinoma and neck nodes seen at the clinic are not an uncommon occurrence in head and neck practice. Over the years, treatment has ranged from radical jaw neck dissection to radical neck dissection for the nodes and primary radiotherapy to the primary site. Much controversy exists as to which treatment modality yields the best survival.