Carcinoma of the subglottis. Results of initial radical radiation

During the 12-year period 1971 to 1982, 23 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis were treated with initial radical radiation therapy. There were 19 men and four women, with a mean age of 64 years. Five patients had T1 tumors, four had T2, three had T3, and 11 had T4. The actuarial overall and cause-specific survival rates were 26% and 61%, respectively. Local control was achieved with initial radiation therapy in 16 patients (70%). Subsequent local control was achieved in one other patient following surgery for recurrence, giving an ultimate local control figure of 74% (17 of 23 patients). All patients with T1, T2, and T3 disease achieved local control with initial treatment; however, seven of the 11 patients with T4 disease either had residual disease following radiation therapy or developed local recurrence on follow-up.