David G. Pfister, Scott A. Laurie, Gregory S. Weinstein, William M. Mendenhall, David J. Adelstein, K. Kian Ang, Gary L. Clayman, Susan G. Fisher, Arlene A. Forastiere, Louis B. Harrison, Jean-Louis Lefebvre, Nancy Leupold, Marcy A. List, Bernard O. O’Malley, Snehal Patel, Marshall R. Posner, Michael A. Schwartz, and Gregory T. Wolf

Purpose: To develop a clinical practice guideline for treatment of laryngeal cancer with the intent of preserving the larynx (either the organ itself or its function). This guideline is intended for use by oncologists in the care of patients outside of clinical trials.

Methods: A multidisciplinary Expert Panel determined the clinical management questions to be addressed and reviewed the literature available through November 2005, with emphasis given to randomized controlled trials of site-specific disease.  Survival, rate of larynx preservation, and toxicities were the principal outcomes assessed. The guideline underwent internal review and approval by the Panel, as well as external review by additional experts, members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Health Services Committee, and the ASCO Board of Directors.

Results: Evidence supports the use of larynx-preservation approaches for appropriately selected patients without a compromise in survival; however, no larynx-preservation approach offers a survival advantage compared with total laryngectomy and adjuvant therapy with rehabilitation as indicated.

Recommendations: All patients with T1 or T2 laryngeal cancer, with rare exception, should be treated initially with intent to preserve the larynx.  For most patients with T3 or T4 disease without tumor invasion through cartilage into soft tissues, a larynx-preservation approach is an appropriate treatment option, and concurrent chemoradiation therapy is the most widely applicable approach. To ensure an optimum outcome, special expertise and a multidisciplinary team are necessary, and the team should fully discuss with the patient the advantages and disadvantages of larynx-preservation options compared with treatments that include total laryngectomy.



ASCO’s practice guidelines and technology assessments reflect expert consensus based on clinical evidence and literature available at the time they are written, and are intended to assist physicians in clinical decision-making and identify questions and settings for further research.  Due to the rapid flow of scientific information in oncology, new evidence may have emerged since the time a guideline or assessment was submitted for publication.  Guidelines and assessments are not continually updated and may not reflect the most recent evidence.  Guidelines and assessments cannot account for individual variation among patients, and cannot be considered inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other treatments.  It is the responsibility of the treating physician or other health care provider, relying on independent experience and knowledge of the patient, to determine the best course of treatment for the patient.  Accordingly, adherence to any guideline or assessment is voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding its application to be made by the physician in light of each patient's individual circumstances.  ASCO guidelines and assessments describe the use of procedures and therapies in clinical practice and cannot be assumed to apply to the use of these interventions in the context of clinical trials.  ASCO assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of ASCO’s guidelines or assessments, or to any errors or omissions.