Salvage transoral laser microsurgery for recurrent glottic carcinoma after primary laser-assisted treatment: Analysis of prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND Treatment for local glottic cancer recurrences after primary transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) has not been standardized. METHODS In 33 consecutive cases of salvage TLM after laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma failed, we retrospectively considered the potential clinicopathological prognostic factors in univariate statistical setting. RESULTS Patient age <65 years and pathological involvement of the deep margins were associated with a higher second recurrence rate and shorter disease-free survival. CONCLUSION The age of the patient and the pathological status of surgical margins after salvage TLM could be useful for planning a closer endoscopic/radiological follow-up in selected patients at high risk of recurrence. Other appropriately designed studies are needed to see if an open surgical approach should be considered for younger patients (<65 years old) with recurrent glottic carcinoma after primary TLM. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1043-1049, 2016.