SUPRAGLOTTIC LARYNGECTOMY WITH OR WITHOUT POSTOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY IN SUPRAGLOTTIC CARCINOMAS

A retrospective review of 193 previously untreated patients with prima ry supraglottic carcinoma was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy. Ah the patients received a supraglottic la ryngectomy, and patients received a total of 284 elective or therapeut ic neck dissections. Ninety-four (48.7%) of the patients received post operative radiotherapy. The incidence of local recurrence was 8.2%, bu t the recurrence rate was unrelated to the use of postoperative radiot herapy. Neck recurrence was observed in 12.9% of patients, with no inf luence of postoperative radiotherapy in the dissected neck. The incide nce of locoregional recurrences by stage in irradiated and nonirradiat ed patients did not reach significant difference. The 3-year survival was 74.3%. The overall survival of the whole series and by stage was n ot statistically altered in combined therapy compared to surgery.