T1 and T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma: endoscopic laser surgery versus radiotherapy experience in a cancer center in Mexico

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20262372

Keywords:

Early laryngeal cancer, Endoscopic, Laser, Microlaryngoscopy, Organ preservation, Recurrence, Radiotherapy, Survival, Surgery, Transoral approach

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy and endoscopic laser surgery (ELS) has been considered the primary treatment for laryngeal cancer. This study aims to compare ESL and radiotherapy in terms of organ preservation, disease-free survival, overall survival and cancer-specific survival.

Methods: A retrospective study using database of T1-T2 glottic cancer treated with radiotherapy and ELS. Disease-free survival, overall survival and cancer specific survival (CSS) for both groups according to Kaplan-Meier.

Results: 108 patients received radiotherapy and 98 patients underwent ELS were analyzed. Organ preservation rate was higher in the ELS group (88.8% vs 84.3%) p=NS. The percentage of patients alive without disease was higher in the ELS group (85.7% vs 58.3%) (p< 0.00). The five-year general OS rates were 93% and 91% in the ELS and radiotherapy group, respectively; while the ten-year OS rates were 93% and 63%, respectively. The five-year and ten-year OS rates for T1 and T2 (p=NS). Five-year CSS in the ELS and radiotherapy group was, respectively, 86% and 85%, whereas ten-year CSS was 83% and 50%, respectively (p=NS). A sub analysis of recurrent cases was performed for both groups. Organ preservation was achieved in 71.1% of cases in the ELS group compared with 58% in the radiotherapy group (p=0.23).

Conclusions: T1 tumors should be exclusively treated with ELS or open surgery, diagnosis and treatment can be combined in a single surgical procedure. Before administering radiotherapy, a diagnosis is needed. T2 tumors should be properly selected for their management and many approaches are available. Organ preservation is similar for both groups.

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Published

2026-07-23

How to Cite

Luna-Ortiz, K., Villavicencio-Valencia, V., Luna-Peteuil, Z., García-Ortega, D. Y., Favila-Lira, S., Villavicencio-Valencia, D., & Pasche, P. (2026). T1 and T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma: endoscopic laser surgery versus radiotherapy experience in a cancer center in Mexico. International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 12(4), 490–497. https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20262372

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Original Research Articles