Background: Evaluation of the results of CO2 laser treatment of recurrent glottic carcinoma after radiotherapy.
Methods: Records of all patients treated in the University Hospital Rotterdam and the Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center between 1980 and 1996 by CO2 laser for recurrent glottic carcinoma were studied.
Results: Forty patients were treated by laser surgery. Average follow-up was 77 months. Twenty-three patients (58%) had another recurrence develop after laser surgery. Three were cured by a second laser procedure. Therefore, 20 patients (50%) were successfully treated with laser surgery. In 23 patients the recurrence did not extend into the anterior commissure; in 57% a total laryngectomy could be avoided. In 17 patients the recurrence did extend into the anterior commissure; in 41% a total laryngectomy was avoided.
Conclusion: Most patients with recurrent carcinoma of the larynx after radiotherapy can be cured by laser surgery if the tumor does not extend into the anterior commissure.