Margins do not impact recurrence and survival in advanced laryngeal cancer - A retrospective cohort analysis

Surgery for advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) aims for complete tumor removal with clear margins, yet the prognostic significance of margin status remains uncertain. This study evaluates the impact of margin status on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing total laryngectomy.

Retrospective cohort study.

Tertiary referral center.

Patients who underwent surgery for SCC of the larynx from 2013 to 2023 were analyzed. Margin status was classified as clear (>5mm), close (1-5 mm), or involved (<1mm). The primary outcomes were 5-year RFS and OS, assessed using univariate regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Of 120 included patients, 83 patients (69 %) underwent primary surgical treatment, while the remaining 37 (31 %) underwent salvage surgery. 44 % had clear margins, 37 % close, and 19 % involved. Positive margins were associated with nodal disease (p = 0.018) and salvage surgery (p = 0.004). Recurrence occurred in 25 % of patients, but there was no significant association between margin status and recurrence pattern (p = 0.088). Neither RFS nor OS differed significantly by margin status in the primary (p = 0.085, p = 0.527) or salvage cohorts (p = 0.139, p = 0.373). Salvage surgery was the only factor significantly associated with worse outcomes (p < 0.05).

Margin status, as defined by current guidelines, did not significantly impact survival or recurrence. Given the anatomical constraints of the larynx, current margin thresholds may be overly prescriptive. Salvage surgery remains the most important predictor of poor outcome, highlighting the need for tailored treatment strategies in this population.