Oncologic and Functional Outcomes of T3 Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Following Transoral Laser Microsurgery: A Retrospective Chart Review

ImportanceFew centers globally use transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for primary treatment of T3 glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); consequently, data on its use in this setting are sparse.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes in T3 glottic SCC following TLM, including the impact of anterior commissure (AC) involvement.DesignRetrospective chart review.SettingSingle Canadian tertiary care hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from January 2006 to December 2021.ParticipantsAdult (>18 years old) patients with T3 glottic SCC treated with TLM. Patients were excluded if they were previously treated for laryngeal cancer.Intervention or ExposuresThis study used prospectively collected data for patients treated with TLM for T3 glottic SCC.Main Outcome MeasuresOncologic outcomes were assessed using disease-specific survival (DSS), local control (LC), and laryngectomy-free survival (LFS). Functional outcomes were measured using the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10).ResultsIn total, 28 patients (mean age = 68.4 years) underwent curative TLM for T3 glottic SCC. Sixteen of the cases involved the AC and 22 had paraglottic space involvement. Two and 5-year DSS were 79.2% (CI = 62.3%-100%). Two and 5-year LC were 80.2% (CI = 65.9%-97.4%) and 52.6% (CI = 27.4%-100%), respectively, and 2- and 5-year LFS rates were 86.1% (CI = 72.6%-100%) and 64.6% (CI = 35.8%-100%). AC involvement had no significant impact on DSS, LC, or LFS. There was no significant difference in preoperative and 3-month VHI-10 scores (<i>P</i> = .6632); however, there was significant improvement noted at the 6 (<i>P</i> = .042) and 12-month (<i>P</i> = .037) periods.ConclusionsTLM is a viable surgical option for appropriately selected patients with T3 glottic SCC, with or without AC involvement, achieving favorable oncologic and functional outcomes.RelevanceThese findings further contribute to the limited evidence supporting the use of TLM in the management of advanced-stage glottic cancer.