Voice considerations in the surgical treatment of early glottic carcinomas: Lessons learned from the literature

Following the initial description of laser-assisted endoscopic resection of glottic cancer over 40 years ago, technology and surgical techniques have advanced to make this modality a well-accepted standard of care, in addition to radiation therapy. Given the high rates of local control and laryngeal preservation with both endoscopic resection and radiation therapy, secondary measures such as functional outcomes and costs have become increasingly important. This article reviews the past several decades of literature to summarize the voice outcomes expected with endoscopic resections of early glottic carcinomas.