"FAR" chemoradiotherapy improves laryngeal preservation rates in patients with T2N0 glottic carcinoma

The appropriate treatment approach for patients with T2N0 laryngeal cancer remains highly controversial. Because radiotherapy alone is associated with a high risk of local recurrence, we have developed a triple combination treatment approach consisting of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day, i.v.), vitamin A (50,000 unit/day, i.m.) and external radiation (2.0 Gy/day), which we have termed "FAR therapy."

Patients with T2N0 glottic carcinoma were initially treated with 15 days of FAR therapy, which included a cumulative radiation dose of 30Gy (i.e., "30 Gy of FAR therapy"). Those patients who demonstrated a complete response either clinically or pathologically continued to receive further FAR therapy, with up to 60-70 Gy. All other patients received laryngectomy without any additional treatment.

Ninety-five patients were treated according to this program, and most of the patients (98%) were able to complete this treatment course. Eighty-eight patients (93%) were treated with FAR therapy alone. The local control and ultimate local control rates were 91% (85 of 93), and 99% (92 of 93), respectively. The cumulative 5-year voice preservation and complete laryngeal preservation rates were 91% and 87%, respectively. The cumulative 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 97%.

Because a high rate of laryngeal preservation was achieved without compromising disease-specific survival, our treatment approach based on FAR therapy may be promising for the treatment of patients with T2N0 glottic carcinoma.