Benefits and drawbacks of open partial horizontal laryngectomies, Part B: Intermediate and selected advanced stage laryngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the larynx in the intermediate/advanced stage still presents a major challenge in terms of controlling the disease and preserving the organ. Among therapeutic options, open partial horizontal laryngectomy is proposed as a function-sparing surgical technique. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical outcomes of 555 patients with laryngeal cancer staged pT3 to pT4a who underwent open partial horizontal laryngectomy. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control, local control, laryngectomy-free survival, and laryngeal function preservation rates were 84.6%, 84.2%, 86.3%, 90.6%, 93.3%, and 91.2%, respectively. DFS, locoregional control, and laryngeal function preservation rates were significantly affected by pT4a staging (68.1%, 71.7%, and 78.0%, respectively), whereas pN+ influenced only DFS (≤72.6%) and locoregional control (≤79.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Open partial horizontal laryngectomy with a modular approach can be considered effective in terms of prognostic and functional results in intermediate-stage and selected advanced-stage laryngeal cancers, even with subglottic extension.