Aim: To identify predisposing factors for larynx preservation strategies using non-surgical multimodality approaches.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 48 patients with T3-4 diseases (14 larynx, 19 hypopharynx, 15 cervical esophagus). Out of 48 patients, 33 refused surgery, and 15 were deemed inoperable, and a total of 25 were graded as T3 and 23 as T4. A total of 24 patients received induction chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was administered at a median dose of 61 Gy (range, 30-71 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy was administered to all patients: intra-arterial infusion in 21, systemic infusion in 24, or both in 3.
Results: Thirty-seven cases (77%) achieved a complete response. The 3-year local control, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and laryngeal preservation rates were 56%, 48%, 56%, and 73%, respectively. Tumor location, nodal involvement, and pre-treatment serum hemoglobin values were identified as predisposing factors for local control, PFS, and OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that the pre-treatment serum hemoglobin levels and tumor location were significant prognostic factors for PFS.
Conclusion: Tumor location and pre-treatment hemoglobin levels are important prognostic factors for PFS for non-surgical multimodal organ preservation treatment.
Keywords: Larynx preservation; cervical esophageal cancer; chemoradiotherapy; hypopharyngeal cancer; laryngeal cancer.
Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.