LASER MICROSURGERY FOR CANCER OF THE LARYNX

Since 1979 we have performed transoral laser microsurgery for the trea tment of laryngeal cancer as an alternative to conventional surgery or radiotherapy. The therapeutic concept (principles of surgery on the p rimary tumour, surgical technique, limits, histologic verification of total resection) and the advantages of transoral laser microsurgery co mpared to standard therapy are described. The oncological results of 4 66 previously untreated patients, who had transoral laser microsurgery (+/- neck dissection, +/- radiotherapy) with curative intention (pTis -pT4, (p) N0-pN1-2 M0, UICC 1987) between 1979 and 1991 are presented and discussed.