Precise radiation, better airway preservation: vocal cord-only image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage glottic cancer - Report - MDSpire

Precise radiation, better airway preservation: vocal cord-only image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage glottic cancer

  • By

  • Issa Mohamad

  • Ibrahim Alotain

  • Shatha Abu Taha

  • Mohammad Mukahal

  • Ayat Taqash

  • Mohammad Alsmairat

  • Abdulla Alzibdeh

  • Mohammad Berawi

  • Lina Wahbeh

  • Renda AlHabib

  • Akram Al-Ibraheem

  • Hikmat Abdel-Razeq

  • Fawzi Abuhijla

  • Ramiz Abu-Hijlih

  • Omar Al Saraireh

  • Ali Hosni

  • May 20, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Targeted Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Glottic Cancer

Overview

This study compares tracheostomy rates and oncologic outcomes between whole-larynx radiotherapy (WLRT) and vocal cord–only radiotherapy (VC-RT) in patients with early-stage glottic cancer. VC-RT significantly reduces the risk of tracheostomy without compromising local control or overall survival.

Background

Early-stage glottic cancer is highly treatable, with radiation therapy providing excellent local control. Traditional whole-larynx radiotherapy exposes surrounding healthy tissues to radiation, leading to potential complications such as airway compromise. The emergence of vocal cord–only radiotherapy aims to minimize these risks while maintaining effective cancer treatment.

Data Highlights

ParameterVC-RTWLRT
Tracheostomy Rate0%14.2%
3-Year Local Failure Rate7.6%11.6%
3-Year Overall Survival Rate93.3%89.5%

Key Findings

  • 8% of patients required tracheostomy without recurrence.
  • Edema-related tracheostomy occurred exclusively in WLRT patients.
  • VC-RT patients had a higher incidence of cT2 disease (22.2% vs. 5.4%).
  • 3-year local failure rates were comparable between VC-RT and WLRT (7.6% vs. 11.6%).
  • Overall survival rates were also similar (93.3% for VC-RT vs. 89.5% for WLRT).

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that VC-RT may be a preferable treatment option for patients with early-stage glottic cancer, as it reduces the likelihood of tracheostomy while maintaining oncologic effectiveness. Clinicians should consider this approach to enhance patient quality of life post-treatment.

Conclusion

Vocal cord–only radiotherapy presents a viable alternative to whole-larynx radiotherapy for early-stage glottic cancer, offering reduced tracheostomy rates without sacrificing local control or survival outcomes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
  2. Definitive radiotherapy for early stage glottic cancer: a quarter-century of single-institution experience with long-term outcomes and late events | European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Springer Nature Link
  3. Focal Hypofractionated Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy/SBRT in Patients With Early Stage Glottic Cancer – A Phase 1 Trial - ScienceDirect
  4. the asco post — Intensity-Modulated Proton vs Photon Radiotherapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer
  5. the asco post — Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy vs Proton Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer
  6. The ASCO Post — Intensity-Modulated Proton vs Photon Radiotherapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer
  7. The ASCO Post — Proton Therapy vs Traditional Radiation Therapy in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer
  8. Intensity-Modulated Proton vs Photon Radiotherapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer
  9. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy vs Proton Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer
  10. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/MembersOnly/7.5f%20NCCN%201.2026%20head-and-neck.pdf
  11. Definitive radiotherapy for early stage glottic cancer: a quarter-century of single-institution experience with long-term outcomes and late events | European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Springer Nature Link
  12. Focal Hypofractionated Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy/SBRT in Patients With Early Stage Glottic Cancer – A Phase 1 Trial - ScienceDirect

Original Source(s)

Precise radiation, better airway preservation: vocal cord-only image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage glottic cancer

  • by Issa Mohamad, Ibrahim Alotain, Shatha Abu Taha, Mohammad Mukahal, Ayat Taqash, Mohammad Alsmairat, Abdulla Alzibdeh, Mohammad Berawi, Lina Wahbeh, Renda AlHabib, Akram Al-Ibraheem, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq, Fawzi Abuhijla, Ramiz Abu-Hijlih, Omar Al Saraireh, Ali Hosni

  • May 20, 2026

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