CO₂ laser surgery: A larynx preservation alternative for selected hypopharyngeal carcinomas

Abstract

TLS is an alternative for the treatment of selected HC associated with a high larynx preservation rate.

T1 and T2 hypopharyngeal cancer treatment with laser microsurgery

“…Airway fire is perhaps the most feared complication and strict caution against it cannot be overemphasized. Other potential complications include bleeding, granulation tissue formation, and aspiration pneumonia [2,16,22]. A low incidence of major complications was found for TLM cases in this series (Table IV).…”

“…It has been previously shown that selected hypopharyngeal cancers of all classifications can be successfully treated with TLM [2,16]. This has been especially evident in cases with early disease.…”

“…Martin et al [2] recently presented a 5-year DSS rate of 68% for 22 cases with early stage disease. Vilaseca et al [16] had previously published survival rates of 100% for early stage disease but included a very small number of such cases, that is, six. LC rates were quite high in both prementioned studies.…”

“…A neck dissection should be offered in every case and if refused by the patient or is not possible for other reasons, adjuvant radiotherapy that includes the neck should be administered. This tactic has been previously proposed by others [2,16]. Performance of neck surgery can either take place at the same time with TLM, or at a second stage after permanent histology results for the primary tumor are available.…”

Functional organ preservation in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

“…Vilaseca et al [231] report on a cohort of 28 patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery, neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy. Two patients had primary tumors classified as pT1, 16 as pT2, 9 as pT3, and 1 as pT4.…”