Causes of Failure in Irradiation of Squamous-Cell Carcinoma of the Supraglottic Larynx

From 1948 through June 1971, 173 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were treated by primary irradiation. The results were analyzed by staging of the primary lesions and specific extensions of disease. Primary irradiation of exophytic lesions of the supraglottic larynx offers a high control rate and preservation of the voice. Laryngectomy salvages a high percentage of the failures. In lesions of the suprahyoid epiglottis, moderate infiltration of the valleculae, although a cause of failure, is not a contraindication for primary irradiation as infiltration of the pre-epiglottic space is in lesions of the infrahyoid epiglottis.