Carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx

Retrospective review of 160 patients with carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx was accomplished for the period 1964 to 1974. The majority were treated by low dose preoperative radiation and conservation surgery and the rest by preoperative radiation and total laryngectomy or radiation alone. Relapse-free and actuarial 5 year survival for all patients was 71% and 45%, respectively. Of primary and neck failures, 85% occurred within 2 years. Primary, nodal, and distant failures occurred in 11%, 21%, and 14% of all patients, respectively. Of 40 T and/or N failures, 33 (83%) occurred in the neck and three T and six N failures (23%) were surgically salvaged. Voice was preserved in 71% of the patients. Major complications were noted in 16% and minor complications in 26% of surgically managed patients; operative mortality was 4%. The presence of microscopic lymph node metastases best predicted those who would later develop T and/or N failure and distant metastases. Second primary tumors occurred in 26% and the leading cause of death was tumor.