Salvage (Total) Laryngectomy Rates Following Organ Preservation Strategies in India: Do We Have the Answer?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Head and Neck Cancer Research

Background:

• Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are prevalent in India, often diagnosed at advanced stages (III/IV).
• Organ preservation protocols offer a viable treatment option for many patients with these cancers.
• Limited Indian data exists on current organ preservation regimens and larynx salvage rates post-treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prevalent organ preservation regimens for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers in India.
• To determine larynx preservation rates and salvage laryngectomy rates following treatment failures.
• To compare current Indian practices with established landmark trial protocols.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted to review existing data on organ preservation strategies.
• A survey was administered to Indian oncologists to assess current practice patterns and outcomes.
• Data on regimens, larynx preservation, and salvage laryngectomy rates were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Published literature indicates common use of weekly cisplatin for organ preservation, deviating from the 3-weekly regimen in landmark trials.
• Survey findings corroborated the literature, showing similar practice patterns and outcomes.
• Reported salvage laryngectomy rates in the literature varied widely, ranging from 1.8% to 54%.

Conclusions:

• Current organ preservation regimens in India for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers differ from those used in landmark trials.
• There is a notable lack of standardized reporting on salvage laryngectomy rates following organ preservation failures.
• Further research is needed to establish optimal regimens and improve outcomes for larynx preservation strategies in India.