Comparison of Functional Voice Outcomes in Patients Treated with Laser Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Early Glottic Cancer

조기 성문암에서 레이저 수술과 방사선 치료 후 음성기능 비교

The early glottic cancers are traditionally treated by radiotherapy or endoscopic surgery. The excellent effectiveness of both treatment modalities for local control, larynx preservation, and disease specific death is similar. Therefore, functional voice outcome after treatment is one of the most important factors in the choice of treatment for early glottic cancer. To assess the functional outcomes and compare the voice quality in patients with early glottic cancer treated with curative intent with radiotherapy or laser cordectomy, we performed literature review. Most studies showed that the voice quality after radiation therapy is slightly better than that after laser cordectomy. Subanalysis according to types of laser cordectomy, however, indicates that voice quality depends on type of laser cordectomy. Especially, type I or type II laser cordectomy might be superior to other types of laser cordectomy and radiation therapy. We conclude that the laser cordectomy is a good surgical alternative for properly selected early glottic cancer including professional voice users.