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

To compare tracheostomy rates and oncologic outcomes between whole-larynx radiotherapy (WLRT) and vocal cord–only radiotherapy (VC-RT) in patients with early-stage glottic cancer (ESGC), highlighting the significance of these comparisons for treatment decisions.

Key Findings:
  • 8% of patients required tracheostomy without recurrence, with edema-related tracheostomy occurring exclusively in WLRT patients (14.2% vs. 0% with VC-RT, p < 0.001).
  • 3-year local failure rates were 7.6% for VC-RT and 11.6% for WLRT (p = 0.18), indicating no significant difference.
  • Overall survival rates were 93.3% for VC-RT and 89.5% for WLRT (p = 0.16), suggesting comparable outcomes.
Interpretation:

VC-RT significantly reduces the risk of tracheostomy without compromising oncologic outcomes in patients with ESGC, which may enhance patient quality of life.

Limitations:
  • Retrospective design may introduce selection bias, potentially affecting the generalizability of the findings.
  • Limited follow-up duration for some patients may not capture long-term outcomes.
Conclusion:

VC-RT is a viable treatment option for ESGC, offering improved airway preservation while maintaining effective cancer control, which could positively impact patient quality of life.

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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