A retrospective study of 103 patients with glottic carcinoma (14 Tis, 68 pT1a, 14 pT1b, and 7 pT2) treated from October 1993 to June 2001. Surgical treatment included endoscopic CO<sub>2sub> laser cordectomies according to the classification of the European Laryngological Society.
According to the Kaplan-Meier method, the probability of remaining free of local recurrence 5 years after primary surgery alone was 100%for the Tis, 96.05%for the T1, and 100%for the T2. Local control at 5 years after exclusive CO<sub>2sub> laser salvage surgery was 98.03%. The probability of remaining free of local recurrence 5 years after any type of salvage surgery was 100%. Laryngeal preservation was achieved in 100%of the cases.
According to the present series, endoscopic CO<sub>2sub> laser surgery is an effective treatment for early glottic cancer.
EBM rating: C-4