Identifying outcome predictors of transoral laser cordectomy for early glottic cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of outcomes in patients with early glottic cancer treated by transoral laser cordectomy. METHODS: This was an inception cohort study of 201 patients with early glottic cancer who were treated by transoral laser cordectomy. Five-year Kaplan-Meier analyses were realized. RESULTS: Patients with anterior commissure involvement (n = 75) had a significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) rate (54.6% vs 79.8%; p = .0004), ultimate local control with laser alone rate (71.0% vs 95.7%; p < .0001), laryngeal preservation rate (91.6% vs 100%; p = .0003), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rate (90.8% vs 99.0%; p = .03). There was no significant difference in overall-survival (OS) rates (76.9% vs 88.5%; p = .29). Surgical margin status was not found to be a significant predictor of outcomes in this series. CONCLUSION: Although anterior commissure involvement has a significant impact on outcomes, laser cordectomy remains a valuable option considering its high organ preservation and survival rates. In cases of local recurrence, all standard further treatment options remain available.