Transoral resection of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

The advent of transoral microlaryngoscopic laser surgery is making a significant impact on treatment decisions in the management of early squamous cancers of the larynx and the hypopharynx. It has, to a great extent replaced the conventional open partial laryngectomy procedures. Moreover many cancers of the larynx or the hypopharynx that were earlier being treated with radiation therapy are now resected transorally with the CO(2) laser. This article focuses on the progress of transoral laser microsurgery in the management of early larygopharyngeal cancers.