Optimizing primary treatment for advanced laryngeal and pyriform sinus carcinoma

Advocates of chemotherapy plus radiation as the definitive treatment for patients with advanced laryngeal cancer often cite older studies that attribute cure rates of less than 50% to laryngectomy plus radiation. The outcomes of patients with stage III and IV laryngeal and pyriform sinus carcinoma from 1980 to 1989 (96 patients) were compared with those of patients treated from 1962 to 1977 (84 patients). Demographics, the extent of disease, and nodal involvement were similar between the groups. There were more operative complications (45% versus 22%; p < 0.01) and deaths (10% versus 2%; p < 0.01) in the patients who underwent irradiation preoperatively. Overall survival was improved in the recent group compared with the early group (73% versus 54% at 5 years; p < 0.03), as was disease-free survival (64% versus 38% at 5 years; p < 0.02). Results of treatment for advanced laryngeal and pyriform sinus carcinoma have improved significantly. These modern results should be used to evaluate newer treatment modalities.