Radiotherapy of laryngeal cancer. General principles and results in T1 and T2 cases.

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment modality for early (T1-T2) laryngeal cancer, offering the patient a substantial chance of cure while preserving the anatomical integrity of the larynx. Whereas in early glottic lesions the irradiation volume can be restricted to the larynx proper, in supraglottic tumours the inclusion of the regional nodes is mandatory in view of their propensity for regional spread. Local control figures at 5 years are broadly in the range of 79% to 91% (T1) and 63% to 72% (T2) for glottic cancer and of about 75% (T1) and 50% (T2) for supraglottic cancer (N0 + N+). Net survival figures, including those patients having received salvage surgery are in the range of 80% to 98% (T1 glottic), of 60% to 90% (T2 glottic), of 82% to 100% (T1 supraglottic) and of 58% to 88% (T2 supraglottic).