Oncological and functional impact of adjuvant treatments after open partial laryngeal surgery: a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe oncological and functional role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after open partial laryngeal surgery (OPLS) remains debatable.MethodsA systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature were conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes of patients receiving OPLS with and without PORT for laryngeal cancer were summarized.ResultsIn the 10 studies that were included in the meta-analysis, no significant difference emerged in terms of pooled overall survival between OPLS patients who did and who did not receive PORT (- 0.3%, 95% CI - 5.4 to 4.9%, p = 0.922). Only one study showed a significantly higher incidence of complications in the PORT cohort.ConclusionsPORT may apparently be performed after OPLS in face of adverse postoperative features without an increased risk of toxicities affecting the neolarynx. Because of the limitations in the available literature, the oncological and functional effects of PORT in this setting needs to be prospectively assessed to strengthen the evidence of this treatment strategy for laryngeal cancer.

Automated summary

The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after open partial laryngeal surgery (OPLS) in terms of oncology and function remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, and the outcomes of OPLS patients with and without PORT for laryngeal cancer were summarized. The meta-analysis of 10 studies showed no significant difference in overall survival between OPLS patients who did and did not receive PORT, except for a higher incidence of complications in the PORT cohort in one study.