Definitive radiotherapy for squamous carcinoma of the larynx

Definitive radiotherapy for T1 or T2 laryngeal carcinoma offers good local control and quality of voice. Recent clinical trials with hyperfractionated radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy demonstrated improved rates of local control for advanced laryngeal cancer treated with primary radiotherapy and provides the opportunity for organ preservation. The use of amifostine and pilocarpine may prevent or ameliorate radiation-induced xerostomia. Recent advances in 3-D conformal radiotherapy and IMRT lead to a better dose distribution for sparing normal organs while treating target volumes with full dose.