CO(2) laser surgery in elderly patients with glottic carcinoma: univariate and multivariate analyses of results

Head Neck. 2012 Dec;34(12):1804-9. doi: 10.1002/hed.22907. Epub 2012 Jan 20.

Abstract

Background: There are limited data on the role of laser-assisted surgery for early glottic cancer in elderly patients.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on a series of 130 consecutive cases of early glottic carcinoma occurring in elderly patients (>65 years old) treated with CO(2) laser surgery.

Results: The overall and disease-specific survival rates were 87.7% and 99.2%, respectively. The rates of local disease control after primary laser surgery, ultimate local control with laser alone, and laryngeal preservation were 84.6%, 93.8%, and 96.9%, respectively. A shorter disease-free survival (DFS) was associated with the involvement of 1 or more specific laryngeal regions (arytenoids, ventricle, anterior commissure, vocal muscle, subglottis) (p = .01) and the status of the surgical margins (p = .002); on multivariate analysis, only the latter remained prognostically significant vis-à-vis the DFS (p = .002).

Conclusions: Even in elderly patients with early glottic carcinoma, endoscopic laser surgery is an effective treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Glottis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Laser Therapy*
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide