Early-Stage Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Nationwide Analysis on Incidence, Survival, Recurrences, and Laryngectomies After Radiotherapy in the Netherlands (2015-2021)

OBJECTIVE: Growing interest in new radiotherapy strategies for early-stage glottic cancer highlights the importance of reviewing current treatment outcomes. This nationwide study presents the incidence, survival, recurrences, and laryngectomies for these patients.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed with cT1-2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) between 2015 and 2021 in the Netherlands were included. Patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed for survival, recurrences, and laryngectomies after radiotherapy treatment.

RESULTS: A total of 2214 patients were diagnosed with early-stage glottic SCC. A total of 826 patients were treated with radiotherapy between 2015 and 2019. The 5-year overall survival, relative survival, and recurrence-free survival after radiotherapy were 75%, 88%, and 86%, respectively. Of the 826 patients, 47 (6%) underwent laryngectomy. Only four (0.5%) patients had a laryngectomy due to severe radiation toxicity.

CONCLUSION: This nationwide study demonstrates that radiotherapy for early-stage glottic SCC results in excellent oncological outcomes. Radiation-induced laryngectomies for this treatment are extremely rare.