Supraglottic laryngectomy with or without postoperative radiotherapy in supraglottic carcinomas

A retrospective review of 193 previously untreated patients with primary supraglottic carcinoma was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy. All the patients received a supraglottic laryngectomy, and patients received a total of 284 elective or therapeutic neck dissections. Ninety-four (48.7%) of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The incidence of local recurrence was 8.2% but the recurrence rate was unrelated to the use of postoperative radiotherapy. Neck recurrence was observed in 12.9% of patients, with no influence of postoperative radiotherapy in the dissected neck. The incidence of locoregional recurrences by stage in irradiated and nonirradiated patients did not reach significant difference. The 3-year survival was 74.3%. The overall survival of the whole series and by stage was not statistically altered in combined therapy compared to surgery.