OBJECTIVETo determine the optimal surgical modality for T3 glottic carcinoma.

METHODSClinical data of 57 cases of T3 glottic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical characteristics, surgical procedures and prognosis were analyzed. At different ages and by surgical procedures performed, the 3-year disease-free survival rate of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTSAll cases underwent surgical procedures including total laryngectomy, near total laryngectomy and partial laryngectomy, and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 63.2% (36/57). The 3-year disease-free survival rate of patients who received total laryngectomy was 66.7% (16/24), near total laryngectomy 50.0% (4/8), and partial laryngectomy 64.0% (16/25, P = 0.694). The 3-year survival rate of the cases ≥ 70.0 years old was 70.0% (7/10), and that of < 70 years old was 61.7% (29/47, P = 0.621). Thirty-six cases had neck dissection, including 2 cases with radical neck dissection, 6 cases with modified neck dissection, and 28 cases with selective neck dissection. The lymph node metastasis rate of all cases was 17.5%. Ten cases were diagnosed as postoperative local recurrence, including 1 cases treated with total laryngectomy, 2 cases treated with near total laryngectomy and 7 cases treated with partial laryngectomy.

CONCLUSIONSBoth total laryngectomy and partial laryngectomy are important surgical procedures for treating patients with T3 glottic carcinoma. The optimal individual surgical procedure for the patient with T3 glottic carcinoma should be determined on the basis of the local lesions and physical status. Total laryngectomy is prior to partial laryngectomy for the patients with T3 glottic carcinoma ≥ 70 years old.