Outcomes of Primary Concurrent Chemotherapy and Intensity Modulated
Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Laryngeal Squamous cell Carcinoma:
Focus on T3 Larynx - a European Single Institution Analysis
Abstract
Introduction Treating locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
(LSCC) with primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) can preserve the larynx
without compromising survival. However, whether this is associated with
good functional outcomes remains up for debate. The aim of this study
was to evaluate survival and functional outcomes in patients with
locally advanced LSCC treated with primary CRT. Methods We
retrospectively analysed data from all consecutive patients with stage
III-IV (M0) disease treated with primary CRT between April 2010 and
December 2017. Study endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease free
survival (DFS), laryngectomy free survival (LFS), laryngo-oesophageal
dysfunction free survival (LEDFS) and functional preservation rates.
Prognostic factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate
analysis. Results 69 consecutive patients treated with primary CRT were
analysed. All patients were treated with Intensity Modulated
Radiotherapy (IMRT). 29 patients received induction chemotherapy prior
to CRT. 60 patients (87%) received concomitant platinum-based
chemotherapy, and 9 (13%) concomitant Cetuximab. The median follow-up
was 57 months (range 4-96). The completion rate for prescribed RT was
98.5%. The 2- and 5 year OS rates were 81.1% and 52.1%. For patients
with T3 disease, the 2- and 5 year OS rates were 82.4% and 61.6%.
Positive nodal status, N2b-N3 nodal staging, or stage IV disease were
associated with poor OS on univariate, but not multivariate, analysis.
Functional preservation was 69.1% at 2 years in all patients alive
(68.1% in T3 patients). The 2-year LEDFS rate was 52%. The 2- and
5-year LFS rates was 72.4% and 43.3% respectively. There was no
significant difference in LFS rate between primary tumour localization,
baseline laryngeal fixation or cartilage invasion. Conclusion Our study
illustrates survival and functional outcomes in line with contemporary
studies. The survival and function preservation rates suggest that
carefully selected patients with locally advanced LSCC can successfully
be treated with larynx-preserving primary CRT.