We performed a comparative analysis between an organ-preservation protocol and surgery followed by radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx; Methods: 60 previously untreated patients who were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy in responders were compared with a control group of 60 patients treated with up-front surgery. Both groups were statistically comparable, according to the subsite, TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stage, age, and sex; Results: Mean age was 58 years and 92% were male. No significant statistical difference was observed for overall survival (OS) (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.48-1.18; P = 0.22) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.52-1.83, P = 0.96). Also, there was no significant difference for recurrence-free survival (HR 0.931; 95% CI 0.57-1.71; P = 0.81), metastases-free survival (HR 2.23; 95% CI 0.67-7.41; P = 0.19), and the appearance of second primary tumors (HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.51-2.88; P = 0.64); Conclusions: The results of the organ-preservation approach did not appear inferior to those of surgery plus (chemo)radiotherapy for patients with T3/T4a larynx and T2-T4a hypopharynx cancer with respect to OS and DSS, locoregional control and metastases-free survival.
Keywords: hypopharyngeal cancer; laryngeal cancer; laryngectomy; organ preservation.