Carcinoma of the Larynx: II. Treatment by60Co supervoltage irradiation

The radiotherapy of carcinoma of the larynx has been changed in the course of the past decade almost everywhere to supervoltage irradiation.Owing to the short follow-up periods, little is yet known of the results, but the relatively few reports seem promising.These neoplasms commenced to be treated by us with a '"Co unit of kilocurie strength around 1 August 1963.The results obtained during a 5-year period with this unit have been analysed and the expected crude 5-year survival calculated.The object of the present communication is primarily to submit these results, but they will also be compared with those in a group of patients treated during the preceding period primarily by conventional irradiation.Lastly, the authors will discuss the possible causes of recurrences following radiotherapy.Material.A total of 153 patients with carcinoma of the larynx was admitted from 1 August 1963 to 1 August 1969.However, the present material includes only 152 patients, as one died of an intercurrent disorder before treatment of the larynx had been started.Apart from the exclusion of this patient, the material is unselected.