Oncological and functional outcomes of transoral laser surgery for hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
Rodrigo Casanueva1, Fernando López2,3,4,5, Patricia García-Cabo1,6,7,8
1Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, Avenida de Roma, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
Background:
Surgical resection or radiotherapy (RT) are standard approaches for early-staged hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). Transoral laser microsurgery (TOLMS) seems to provide good oncological and functional results with few local complications. The aim of our study was to analyze the outcomes of TOLMS, with or without neck dissection or RT, in the treatment of HPSCC in a tertiary referral center.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted in patients with early T-category (T1-T2) HPSCC treated by TOLMS.
Results:
A total of 34 patients were included in the study. The series includes 17 (50%) T1 and 17 (50%) T2 classified tumors. The 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival rates were 51% and 66%, respectively, with a 5-year local control rate of 92%. All patients reassumed oral diet and none of them had a tracheostomy at the end of the follow-up.
Conclusions:
TOLMS offers an effective treatment option in terms of oncologic control and function preservation in locally circumscribed HPSCC.
