Open surgical management of early glottic carcinoma

Three options exist for the treatment of T1 through T3 glottic carcinomas: irradiation, transoral excision (usually with a CO2 laser) and external "conservation" laryngeal procedures. Controversy re approximately mains regarding the best therapy and, in many cases, is related to the uncertainty of tumor subclassifications not being contained in the current American Joint Committee on Cancer Union International Contra Cancer system. The evaluation of patients with early glottic carcinomas and common approaches to conservation laryngeal surgery and defect reconstructions are presented. External "conservation" approaches are preferred for T1B, T2B and early T3 glottic carcinomas.