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Functional outcomes after radiotherapy or laser surgery in early glottic carcinoma: A systematic review
Author(s) -
van Loon Yda,
Sjögren Elisabeth V.,
Langeveld Ton P. M.,
Baatenburg de Jong Rob J.,
Schoones Jan W.,
van Rossum Maya A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21783
Subject(s) - medicine , swallowing , radiation therapy , comparability , transoral laser microsurgery , pooling , quality of life (healthcare) , laser surgery , surgery , medical physics , head and neck cancer , laser , computer science , artificial intelligence , physics , mathematics , nursing , combinatorics , optics
Background Early glottic carcinoma is treated with laser surgery or radiotherapy, but which treatment has better functional outcomes is unclear. This systematic review compared functional outcomes (voice, swallowing, quality of life [QOL]) in more extended T1a and limited T2 tumors (1) between treatments and (2) between greater and lesser laser resections. Methods A systematic literature search covered relevant databases from 1990 to 2009, combining all patient/problem, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) keyword variations. Results A total of 19 papers met the inclusion criteria, all of which were level IV evidence. Papers reported only voice and QOL. Heterogeneity of outcome measures prevented data pooling. Uncertainty about tumor comparability (depth, extent) between the 2 treatments, small subject numbers, and poor‐quality reporting hindered interpretation. Conclusions To allow comparison of laser surgery versus radiotherapy, a standardized method is needed that accurately measures tumor extent and depth. Agreement on functional outcome measures is necessary to allow comparison of treatments and resection types. Multicenter studies should be encouraged to guarantee adequate subject numbers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012