Carcinoma in situ of the vocal cords: a retrospective study.

Between the years 1960 and 1981, 21 patients with the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ of the vocal cords were treated in the ENT department of Beilinson Medical Center. All 21 patients received initial irradiation therapy, identical to patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma--7200 rads Co60 tumour dose. No patient died as a result of tumour. One patient had local recurrence of invasive carcinoma after 3 years and subsequently underwent total laryngectomy. One patient died after 15 years as a result of myocardial infarction. It is important to mention that 20 patients (95.2%) were free of tumour during a follow-up of 4-25 years (mean 11 years). This study shows that radiotherapy is a highly effective method of management for carcinoma in situ of the glottic region.