Treatment of carcinoma of the epiglottis.

One hundred five cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis were reviewed and the results of treatment compared. The cure rate by radiation therapy for epiglottic carcinomas, both suprahyoid and infrahyoid, was poorer than previously reported cure rates for all supraglottic carcinomas (p less than 0.01). This may be due to unsuspected anterior extension of infrahyoid tumors into the preepiglottic space and thyroid cartilage. The cure rate (five years with no evidence of disease) for suprahyoid lesions was superior to that of infrahyoid lesions for all stages of primary size and nodal metastases and for all treatments. It is suggested that initial staging of primary epiglottic carcinomas should include the designation of suprahyoid or infrahyoid. The role of xeroradiography as an adjunct to staging and the implications for treatment are discussed.