Endoscopic treatment of supraglottic and hypopharynx cancer

Transoral excision of supraglottic and hypopharynx cancer as a single modality is effective when lesions are selected for small size and endoscopic accessibility. Excisional biopsy with clear margins of larger supraglottic tumors in combination with postoperative radiotherapy provides an excellent treatment alternative for selected lesions in patients who are not candidates for open surgery. In this preliminary report, 45 cases using this minimally invasive approach are reviewed outlining oncologic rationale and functional advantages. A large bore tubed laryngoscope or the adjustable bivalve supraglottiscope was used along with a carbon dioxide laser in all cases. In 22 of the 45 patients (mostly T1), local en bloc excision of the primary cancer was performed as sole treatment on selected lesions of the supraglottis and hypopharynx. There were no local recurrences, however, 1 patient developed a neck recurrence and was salvaged by neck dissection. Twenty-three of the 45 patients had more extensive primaries (mostly T2, T3) and N0 necks. Transoral excisional biopsy was followed by full-course radiation therapy to the primary site and both necks. All 23 were followed a minimum of 2 years, and the median follow-up period was 58 months. Clear margins were obtained in 16 of 23, and there were no recurrences in the larynx. Two of 16 did fail in the neck and died despite neck dissection. Seven of 23 patients had positive margins and, despite full-course radiotherapy to the primary site and both necks, 5 of 7 failed locally or regionally. Two of the 7 died of their disease despite open salvage surgery. Therefore, 4 of 23 patients who underwent transoral excision of larger lesions followed by full-course radiotherapy died of recurrent cancer.