BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find risk factors for recurrence after curative radiotherapy in early glottic cancer and to analyze the result of treatment between salvage total laryngectomy and salvage conservation laryngectomy for recurrent glottic cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed for patients of 45 cases of early glottic cancer who were treated with curative radiotherapy from 1997 to 2004. The risk factors analyzed for recurrence in early glottic cancer were gender, age, anterior involvement, bilaterality, T stage and radiotherapy interruption. Fourteen patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy for recurrent glottic cancer were analyzed by Kaplan-Myer method to assess the results of salvage total laryngectomy and salvage conservation laryngectomy. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were male and only 3 patients were female, with the median age of 62.4 years. Radiotherapy interruption was found to be a risk factor significantly influencing recurrence in univariate and multivariate analyses. The 5-year overall survival rate in salvage total laryngectomy was 77% and that in salvage conservation laryngectomy was 75%. CONCLUSION: When a curative radiotherapy was interrupted in early glottic cancer before total dosage irradiation, the possibility of recurrence must be considered. In such cases, by choosing an adequate patient group combined with a proper surgical technique, optimal treatment results can be obtained by salvage conser-vation laryngectomy.
Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Laryngectomy ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Salvage Therapy ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopy training programs and the minimal experience with colonoscopy required to be considered technically competent are not well established. The aim of this study was to determine the colonoscopy learning curves and factors associated with this difficult procedure at a single center. METHODS: A total of 3,243 colonoscopies were performed by 12 first-year gastroenterology fellows, and various clinical factors were assessed prospectively for 22 months. Acquisition of competence (success rate) was evaluated based on two objective criteria: (i) the adjusted completion rate (>90%) and (ii) cecal intubation time (<20 minutes). RESULTS: The overall success rate in reaching the cecum in less than 20 minutes was 72.8%. The cecal intubation time was 9.34+/-4.13 minutes (mean+/-SD). Trainees' skill at performing cecal intubation in <20 minutes reached the requisite standard of competence after 200 procedures. Cecal intubation time decreased significantly from 11.3 to 9.4 minutes after 100 procedures and improved continuously thereafter. Female patients and advanced patient age (over 60 years) were associated with prolonged cecal intubation time (>20 minutes). Surgery of the uterus and ovaries was significantly correlated with delayed cecal intubation time, but not after sufficient colonoscopy experience. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum number of procedures to reach technical competence was 200. The cecal intubation time was longer in female and older patients.
Cecum ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Gastroenterology ; Humans ; Intubation ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Mental Competency ; Ovary ; Prospective Studies ; Uterus