XXIII Results of Pre-Operative Radiotherapy for Supraglottic Larynx Cancer

Abstract

A study was presented to compare the effects of low dose with high dose pre-operative radiation therapy on a well-defined group of advanced supraglottic cancers. A superiority of one dose over the other was not observed. The surgery was performed without a mortality and with only a minor increase in morbidity. A retrospective comparison with patients in the same hospitals treated in the preceding 2 years suggests improvement of results with the current program. Present conclusions recommend a low dose, short course, prompt surgery program for operable, locally advanced epidermoid carcinoma where local persistence is a major factor in failure. Higher dose pre-operative programs may be of value in inoperable lesions.