Primary small cell carcinoma of the larynx: analysis of treatment.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the larynx continues to pose problems in its treatment. Four patients with this neoplasm were seen in a seven-year period at our institution and 49 patients were reviewed from the world literature. The only variables which significantly affected survival were the presence of metastases at initial examination and treatment modality. Those patients treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy had an increased length of survival and increased chance of survival as compared to patients subjected to other treatment modalities. Because of the small number of patients reported in the world literature and lack of controlled studies, the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the larynx remains controversial; this retrospective analysis suggests that combination chemotherapy plus radiation offers the best chance for cure.