Onkologie. 2021:15(2):63-66 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2021.012

Total laryngectomy or larynx-preservation strategy? Current treatment approaches

Milan Vošmik¹, Jan Klozar²

¹ Klinika onkologie a radioterapie LF UK a FN v Hradci Králové

² Klinika otorinolaryngologie a chirurgie hlavy a krku 1. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha

Patients with resectable laryngeal cancer can be treated with larynx-preservation strategy or total laryngectomy. Larynx-preservation strategy is a standard of care in early stages and involves a larynx-sparing surgery (endoscopic treatment or partial laryngectomy) which is a preferred option, or radiotherapy. In locoregionally advanced stages, non-surgical strategy based on combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or total laryngectomy + postoperative radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy is generally considered. The usual approach in the past, indication for concomitant radiochemotherapy in all locoregionally advanced stages, is currently withdrawn and all treatment options and are considered individually within the multidisciplinary team based on disease parameters, pre-treatment larynx function, patient factors (performance status, age, comorbidities etc.) and patient's preferences.

Keywords: laryngeal cancer, total laryngectomy, partial laryngectomy, larynx-preservation approaches, radiotherapy, radiochemotherapy.

Published: April 29, 2021  Show citation