A clinical trial of continuous cisplatin-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy and supracricoid partial laryngectomy for glottic carcinoma classified as T2.

Background: Vertical partial laryngectomy (VPL) and radiation therapy (RT) are the recommended conventional conservative options for glottic carcinoma classified as T2. In series presenting more than 100 patients with a minimum 3-year follow-up, however, local recurrence rates were reported as 22-43.5%. The authors' experience with a new strategy based on continuous cisplatin-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy (IC) and supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoepiglottopexy (CHEP) is presented.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 67 patients who presented with untreated moderately to well differentiated invasive glottic carcinoma classified as T2, managed from 1983 to 1991 with IC and CHEP, was conducted. Statistical analysis of survival, local control, nodal control, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor incidence was based on the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between various factors and survival, local recurrence, and nodal recurrence. Clinical response, histologic response, IC toxicity and postoperative course were reported.

Results: The Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival, local recurrence, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor estimate were 92.3%, 5.6%, 1.5%, 1.8%, and 5.6%, respectively. Overall laryngeal preservation was achieved in 65 patients (97%). Ultimate local control was achieved in all patients but one. Nodal recurrence was statistically more likely in patients presenting with a local recurrence. Analysis of the specimens demonstrated complete histologic response to IC in 25 (37.3%) patients. A strong statistical relation (P < 0.0001) was noted between complete clinical response after IC and complete histologic response.

Conclusions: The change from the prevailing treatment modalities of RT and VPL to a new multimodal strategy (IC+CHEP) did not decrease survival and allowed for an increase in laryngeal preservation rate. The high rate (37.3%) of complete histologic response suggests that IC deserves further consideration in the management of patients with glottic carcinoma classified as T2. The favorable results achieved in this series, when compared with historic controls, should stimulate prospective clinical trials comparing the two surgical procedures (CHEP vs. VPL with or without IC) for resection of Stage II glottic carcinoma.