Original Article

Diode Laser Microsurgery for Treatment of Early-Stage Glottic Cancers: Oncological Outcomes and Our Experiences

10.5152/imj.2016.96720

  • Suat Bilici
  • Ali Rıza Gökduman
  • Özgür Yiğit

Received Date: 01.06.2016 Accepted Date: 06.12.2016 İstanbul Med J 2017;18(1):32-36

Objective:

The aim of our study was to demonstrate oncological outcomes and to point out our experiences in treating early-stage glottic cancers using diode laser microsurgery.

Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted from August 2009 to January 2016 at the Istanbul Education and Research Hospital and included 43 patients affected by T1 and T2 glottic squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=42) and verrucous carcinoma (n=1) and treated endoscopically using diode laser (30 W, 980 nm). According to the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Cancer Committee’s (UICC/AJCC) 2002 laryngeal cancer classification, our carcinomas were classified as T1a in 33 (76.7%), T1b in 7 (16.3%), and T2 in 3 (7%) patients.

Results:

The case study included 42 males (97.6%) and 1 female (2.4%), aged 41–83 years, with a mean age of 61.4 years. Patient included in data analysis had a mean follow-up period of 31 months (range, 5–83). The 43 laser cordectomies performed were type II in 8 cases, type III in 10 cases, type IV in 7 cases, type Va in 7 cases, type Vb in 2 cases, type Vc in 7 cases, and type Vd in 2 cases. Local recurrence occurred in 5 patients (11.6%). The interval between the laser surgery and development of recurrence ranged from 13 to 81 months (median=28). Synechia and granuloma formation occurred on the anterior commissure in 7 patients (18.9). Overall survival, disease-free survival, ultimate local control, and laryngeal preservation rates at 2 years were 97.7%, 95.2%, 87.5%, and 92.6%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Diode laser microsurgery is a reliable surgical technique that offers good oncological outcome and functional results in the treatment of early-stage glottic cancer.

Keywords: Glottic carcinoma, diode laser, transoral microlaser surgery