Targeting Anterior Commissure Involvement with Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy for T1–T2 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Glottic Larynx

Abstract

Anterior commissure is involved in about 20% of early-stage glottic squamous cell carcinomas (EGSCCs). Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for EGSCC with anterior commissure involvement (ACI) were evaluated by focusing on hyperfractionated radiotherapy (74.4 Gy in 62 fractions). One-hundred and fifty-three patients with T1–T2 EGSCC were included in this study. The median total doses for T1a, T1b, and T2 were 66, 74.4, and 74.4 Gy, respectively. Overall, 49 (32%) patients had T1a, 38 (25%) had T1b, and 66 (43%) had T2 disease. The median treatment duration was 46 days. The median follow-up duration was 5.1 years. The 10-year overall and cause-specific survival rates were 72% and 97%, respectively. The 10-year local control rates were 94% for T1a, 88% for T1b, and 81% for T2 disease. Local control rates in patients with ACI were slightly better than those in patients without ACI with T1a and T1b diseases; however, the difference was not significant. The 10-year laryngeal preservation rate was 96%. Six patients experienced grade 3 mucositis, and four patients had grade 3 dermatitis. Hyperfractionated radiotherapy was effective for T1 disease with ACI, but insufficient for T2 disease with ACI. Our treatment strategy resulted in excellent laryngeal preservation.