Functional and oncological results of endolaryngeal laser resections of squamous-cell carcinomas of the voice box

Introduction. Treatment with the initial stage of the disease causes a high need for the use of organ-preserving treatment methods, which are actively developing and improving. One of the modern and promising methods is endolaryngeal resection of the larynx.

Aim. To evaluate oncological effectiveness and functional results of endolaryngeal laser resections in cancers of the voice box.

Materials and methods. The study included 139 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the voice box between the ages of 26 and 81 years who received treatment at the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of the federal medicalBiological Agency of the Russian federation between 2015 and 2020. All patients underwent standard examination to diagnose oncological diseases and were diagnosed in accordance with the Tumor, Node and metastasis (TNm) international system. In 90 (64.7 %) of 139 patients, squamous-cell laryngeal cancer T1N0m0 was diagnosed, in 49 (35.3 %) patients – T2N0m0. All patients underwent surgical treatment in the form of endolaryngeal laser resection according to the plan developed during an oncological council.

Results. After endolaryngeal laser resections, 3-year recurrence-free survival for cancer of the voice box, stages т1 and т2, was 92 and 84.2 % respectively. Temporary disruption of separating function of the larynx in patients with stage T2N0m0 was observed in 6.1 % cases, decreased vocal function in 100 % of cases, granuloma formation in the postoperative period in 19.4 % of cases, formation of a scar narrowing the laryngeal lumen in 4.3 % of cases.

Conclusion. High 3-year recurrence-free survival as well as small percentage of postoperative complications and severe functional abnormalities show high effectiveness of endolaryngeal laser resections in treatment of cancer of the voice box and recommend this technique for active use in daily practice of head and neck tumor specialists.