Total Laryngectomy for Patients with Carcinoma of the Base of Tongue

Abstract

A total of 34 patients with squamous cell carcinoma at the anterior wall of the oropharynx was treated between 1992 and 2001. Total laryngectomy was performed in nine patients, and all of them had multiple nodal metastases. These patients were poorer in prognosis with surgery alone than those treated with laryngeal preservation surgery. It took them, however, only two weeks postoperatively to start dieting orally without any deglutition training. It has an advantage in the case of total laryngectomy to be able to leave hospital earlier and to be able to begin further therapy without delay. The issue of deglutition should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the extent of extirpation and general conditions including motivation and comprehension. The advantage of total laryngectomy should be disregarded for patients with advanced cancer, especially with extensive multiple nodal metastases.