Treatment results of carcinoma in situ of the glottic larynx: 61 patients treated with radiotherapy.

Objectives: To review the Notre-Dame Hospital experience in the treatment of carcinoma in situ of the glottis by radiotherapy and to evaluate the different factors affecting local control and survival.

Methods: Between January 1990 and June 2002, 61 patients presenting with carcinoma in situ of the glottis were treated with curative intent radiotherapy. No patients received either surgery or chemotherapy in the initial treatment of their cancer.

Results: The median follow-up for the entire population was 3.2 years. The local control rate was 96% and 94% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. Overall survival was 100% and 90% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. No statistically significant prognostic factor could be identified either for local control or survival. No patient experienced severe treatment complications or death.

Conclusion: Radiotherapy offers excellent treatment results for carcinoma in situ of the glottic larynx, with few treatment complications. These results are comparable to those published in the literature and justify our choice of primary radiotherapy for carcinoma in situ of the glottis.