Larynx preservation after initial non-cisplatin containing combination chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, as opposed to surgical intervention with or without radiotherapy in previously untreated advanced head and neck cancer: final analysis after 12 years follow-up

After a median follow-up of 12 years, median overall survival of 73 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was 65 months. The 61% of patients responding to two courses of initial schedule A combination chemotherapy, not including cisplatin, and the 81% of patients achieving a final complete remission after definitive local therapy, had median overall survival figures of 95 and 97 months respectively. Overall survival and relapse-free survival in 51 patients treated with radiotherapy only with larynx preservation, were not significantly different from the 21 patients who completed their surgery with pre- or post-operative radiotherapy; median overall figures were 71 versus 65 months. (author)