T3 glottic cancer: Oncologic results and prognostic factors

OBJECTIVES: To analyze oncologic results, prognostic factors! and considera tion of transglottic tumors as a separate entity in 73 patients with T3 glo ttic carcinoma treated by surgery +/- radiation therapy at La Pat Universit y Hospital from 1984 to 1994, METHODS: Sixty-four patients underwent a total laryngectomy; neck dissectio n was performed in 50 patients; 29 patients received postoperative radiothe rapy. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, and relapse- free survival rates were 58.1%, 66.8%, and 63.7%. Univariate analysis revea led prognostic significance for age, dyspnea, initial tracheostomy, and pat hologic lymph node status. No difference was found when comparing survival and relapse rates between transglottic and glottic tumors. CONCLUSION: Surgery provides acceptable rates of cancer control and surviva l for patients with T3 glottic carcinoma. Older patients, patients with pos itive neck nodes, and those presenting with dyspnea have worse prognosis, T he term transglottic is merely descriptive and has little impact on prognos is.