[Current status of the treatment of laryngeal cancer]

The state of the art in laryngeal cancer treatment in the RSFSR is outlined on the basis of an analysis of morbidity and other statistical data. Measures which can be taken to considerably improve the effectiveness of treatment are discussed. The importance of a complex of diagnostic procedures to be employed in therapy planning is shown. Preoperative HBO-mediated gamma therapy and mean fractionation of radiation were used to improve combined treatment. The following function-saving procedures were suggested for radical removal of stage III laryngeal malignancies: an endoprosthetic procedure, improved modifications of horizontal resection, and lower larynx resection. A randomized study suggested that prophylactic surgery be performed on the lymphatics of the neck for cancer (T4) of the vestibular area involving the laryngopharynx. The report discusses the good functional and oncological results of 252 function-saving operations carried out after preoperative gamma therapy conducted as a component of combined treatment. The study also established a high effectiveness of tracheoesophageal shunting as a postlaryngectomy voice rehabilitation device.