Results of radiation therapy in early glottic carcinoma (T₁ T₂ N₀)

Glottic carcinoma is curable by either surgery or radiotherapy. A total of 60 patients were treated by radiation alone at the Northern Israel Oncology Center, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, between 1970 and 1980. Twentynine (48%) were classified as T₁ N₀ and 31 (52%) as T₂ N₀. All patients received radiotherapy primarily with curative intent, with surgery reserved for recurrences. The 5‐year actuarial survival for all patients was 90% and actuarial disease‐free survival was 95%. In ten patients (17%) there was local failure, and five of them were salvaged by surgery. There were no significant acute or long‐term complications of radiation. Factors influencing treatment outcome (anterior commissures involvement, degree of differentiation, treatment volume, and technique of irradiation) and the occurrence of second primary malignancies are discussed.