Long-term outcomes after multidisciplinary management of T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas: Improved functional outcomes and survival with modern therapeutic approaches

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes after initial definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for T3 laryngeal cancers. Methods: We reviewed 412 patients treated for T3 laryngeal squamous cell cancer from 1985 to 2011. Results: The 10-year overall survival (OS) was 35%; disease-specific-survival (DSS) was 61%; locoregional control was 76%; and freedom from distant metastasis was 83%. Chemotherapy, age, performance status <2, node-negative status, and glottic subsite were associated with improved survival (all p <.03). Larynx preservation with induction and/or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (LP-CRT) had better laryngectomy-free survival than RT alone (LP-RT; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47–0.81; p =.0005); 10-year laryngectomy-free survival rates of the LP-CRT cohort (37%) were higher than those of the LP-RT cohort (18%). The 5-year DSS and OS rates of the LP-CRT cohort (79% and 67%) were better after total laryngectomy with postoperative RT (TL-PORT; 61% and 50%) and LP-RT (64% and 46%; p <.006 for all). Conclusion: In patients with T3 laryngeal cancers, LP-CRT provides better functional, oncologic, and survival outcomes than historical TL-PORT or LP-RT does.