Skip to main content

Transoral Approach for Early Laryngeal Cancers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Textbook of Surgery of Larynx and Trachea

Abstract

Transoral laser microsurgery (TOLMS) is a widely used surgical approach for treating early glottic and supraglottic carcinomas. It is generally accepted that, in selected patients, it leads to oncological results comparable to other treatment modalities, while treatment-related morbidity is significantly reduced and functional outcomes are equal, if not better, in the long run. A thorough preoperative workup is mandatory before TOLMS and should involve transnasal videolaryngoscopy with the adjunction of bioendoscopic techniques like narrowband imaging, videolaryngostroboscopy, intraoperative rigid telescope evaluation, and, in selected cases, radiologic imaging. TOLMS usually involves the use of a carbon dioxide laser coupled to a surgical microscope through a suspended laryngoscope under general anesthesia. Tumor removal can be carried out en bloc or by serial and oriented piecemeal resections in case of bulkier tumors. A close follow-up is mandatory after this kind of narrow-margin conservative surgery. TOLMS procedures have been categorized by the European Laryngological Society classifications and, consequently, transoral approaches for laryngeal carcinoma are now standardized and lead to reproducible results in the hands of trained surgeons. However, tumors with an anterior transcommissural extension and/or impaired vocal fold mobility should be managed carefully by TOLMS and referred only to highly experienced centers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Change history

  • 10 February 2023

    The last name of Pamela Dela Cruz was unfortunately published as P. D. Cruz instead of P. Dela Cruz. This error has now been corrected.

Abbreviations

AC:

Anterior commissure

CT:

Computed tomography

ELS:

European Laryngological Society

MR:

magnetic resonance

NBI:

Narrowband imaging

OPHL:

Open partial horizontal laryngectomies

RT:

Radiotherapy

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

SI:

Saline infusion

TOLMS:

Transoral laser microsurgery

VLS:

Videolaryngostroboscopy

References

  1. Bradley PJ, Piazza C, Paderno A. A roadmap of six different pathways to improve survival in laryngeal cancer patients. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021;29(2):65–78. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Nocini R, Molteni G, Mattiuzzi C, Lippi G. Updates on larynx cancer epidemiology. Chinese J Cancer Res. 2020;32(1):18–25. https://doi.org/10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.01.03.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kleinsasser O. Laryngomicroscopy (lens laryngoscopy) and its importance in the diagnosis of premorbid diseases and early forms of carcinoma of the labium vocale. Arch fur Ohren-Nasen- und Kehlkopfheilkd. 1962;180:724–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Strong MS, Jako GJ. Laser surgery in the larynx. Early clinical experience with continuous CO 2 laser. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1972;81(6):791–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348947208100606.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Remacle M, Arens C, Eldin MB, et al. Laser-assisted surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract: a clarification of nomenclature. A consensus statement of the European Laryngological Society. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2017;274(10):3723–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-017-4708-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ambrosch P. The role of laser microsurgery in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;15(2):82–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0b013e3280147336.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Piazza C, Peretti G, Vander PV. Editorial: Advances in transoral approaches for laryngeal cancer. Front Oncol. 2018;8(OCT):1–3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00455.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Alberto, Paderno Alberto, Deganello Davide, Lancini Cesare, Piazza. Is the exoscope ready to replace the operative microscope in transoral surgery?. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;30(2):79–86. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000794.

  9. Arens C, Piazza C, Andrea M, et al. Proposal for a descriptive guideline of vascular changes in lesions of the vocal folds by the committee on endoscopic laryngeal imaging of the European laryngological society. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2016;273(5):1207–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3851-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Peretti G, Piazza C, Berlucchi M, Cappiello J, Giudice M, Nicolai P. Pre- and intraoperative assessment of mid-cord erythroleukoplakias: a prospective study on 52 patients. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2003;260(10):525–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-003-0584-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Mora F, Carta F, Missale F, et al. Laryngeal mid-cord erythroleukoplakias: how to modulate the transoral co2 laser excisional biopsy. Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(8):1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12082165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Peretti G, Cappiello J, Nicolai P, Smussi C, Antonelli AR. Endoscopic laser excisional biopsy for selected glottic carcinomas. Laryngoscope. 1994;104(10):1276–9. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-199410000-00017.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hamzany Y, Shoffel-Havakuk H, Devons-Sberro S, Shteinberg S, Yaniv D, Mizrachi A. Single stage transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer. Front Oncol. 2018;8(AUG):1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Pittore B, Ismail-Koch H, Davis A, et al. Thyroarytenoid muscle invasion in T1 glottic carcinoma. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2009;266(11):1787–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-0929-4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chiesa-Estomba CM, Ravanelli M, Farina D, et al. Imaging checklist for preoperative evaluation of laryngeal tumors to be treated by transoral microsurgery: guidelines from the European laryngological society. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2020;277(6):1707–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-05869-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sanabria A, Shah JP, Medina JE, et al. Incidence of occult lymph node metastasis in primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma, by subsite, t classification and neck level: a systematic review. Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(4) https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12041059.

  17. Piazza C, Mangili S, Del Bon F, et al. Preoperative clinical predictors of difficult laryngeal exposure for microlaryngoscopy: the laryngoscore. Laryngoscope. 2014;124(11):2561–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.24803.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Piazza C, Paderno A, Grazioli P, et al. Laryngeal exposure and margin status in glottic cancer treated by transoral laser microsurgery. Laryngoscope. 2018;128(5):1146–51. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26861.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Incandela F, Paderno A, Missale F, et al. Glottic exposure for transoral laser microsurgery: proposal of a mini-version of the laryngoscore. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(7):1617–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.27525.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mora F, Missale F, Incandela F, et al. High frequency jet ventilation during transoral laser microsurgery for Tis-T2 laryngeal cancer. Front Oncol. 2017;7(NOV):1–5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2017.00282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Remacle M, Eckel HE, Antonelli A, et al. Endoscopic cordectomy. A proposal for a classification by the Working Committee, European Laryngological Society. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2000;257(4):227–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004050050228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Remacle M, Van Haverbeke C, Eckel H, et al. Proposal for revision of the European Laryngological Society classification of endoscopic cordectomies. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2007;264(5):499–504. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-007-0279-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Rudert HH, Werner JA, Höft S. Transoral carbon dioxide laser resection of supraglottic carcinoma. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1999;108(9 I):819–27. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348949910800901.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Canis M, Martin A, Ihler F, et al. Results of transoral laser microsurgery for supraglottic carcinoma in 277 patients. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2013;270(8):2315–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2327-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Piazza C, Barbieri D, Del Bon F, et al. Functional outcomes after different types of transoral supraglottic laryngectomy. In: Laryngoscope, vol. 126. John Wiley and Sons Inc.; 2016. p. 1131–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.25562.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  26. Vilaseca-González I, Bernal-Sprekelsen M, Blanch-Alejandro JL, Moragas-Lluis M. Complications in transoral CO2 laser surgery for carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx. Head Neck. 2003;25(5):382–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.10207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Remacle M, Hantzakos A, Eckel H, et al. Endoscopic supraglottic laryngectomy: a proposal for a classification by the working committee on nomenclature, Eur Laryngological Society. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2009;266(7):993–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-008-0901-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mendelsohn AH, Remacle MJ. Vocal fold cancer transoral laser microsurgery following European Laryngological Society laser cordectomy classification. Front Oncol. 2018;8(JUN):1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Marchi F, Piazza C, Ravanelli M, et al. Role of imaging in the follow-up of T2–T3 glottic cancer treated by transoral laser microsurgery. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2017;274(10):3679–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-017-4642-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Simo R, Bradley P, Chevalier D, et al. European Laryngological Society: ELS recommendations for the follow-up of patients treated for laryngeal cancer. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2014;271(9):2469–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-2966-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Eckel HE. Local recurrences following transoral laser surgery for early glottic carcinoma: frequency, management, and outcome. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001;110(1):7–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940111000102.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Cesare, Piazza Alberto, Paderno Francesca, Del Bon Davide, Lancini Milena, Fior Giulia, Berretti Paolo, Bosio Alberto, Deganello Giorgio, Peretti. Long-term Oncologic Outcomes of 1188 Tis-T2 Glottic Cancers Treated by Transoral Laser Microsurgery. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2021;165(2):321–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820983727.

  33. Hartl DM, Ferlito A, Brasnu DF, et al. Evidence-based review of treatment options for patients with glottic cancer. Head Neck. 2011;33(11):1638–48. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Abdurehim Y, Hua Z, Yasin Y, Xukurhan A, Imam I, Yuqin F. Transoral laser surgery versus radiotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis for treatment options of T1a glottic cancer. Head Neck. 2012;34(1):23–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21686.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Higgins KM, Shah MD, Ogaick MJ, Enepekides D. Treatment of early-stage glottic cancer: meta-analysis comparison of laser excision versus radiotherapy. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009;38(6):603–12. https://doi.org/10.2310/7070.2009.080235.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Yoo J, Lacchetti C, Hammond JA, Gilbert RW. Role of endolaryngeal surgery (with or without laser) versus radiotherapy in the management of early (T1) glottic cancer: a systematic review. Head Neck. 2014;36(12):1807–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.23504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Giorgio, Peretti Cesare, Piazza Mohssen, Ansarin Luigi, De Benedetto Daniela, Cocco Augusto, Cattaneo Piero, Nicolai Fausto, Chiesa. Transoral CO2 laser microsurgery for Tis-T3 supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 2010;267(11):1735–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1284-1.

  38. Motta G, Esposito E, Testa D, Iovine R, Motta S. CO2 laser treatment of supraglottic cancer. Head Neck. 2004;26(5):442–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.10395.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Patel KB, Nichols AC, Fung K, Yoo J, MacNeil SD. Treatment of early stage Supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma: meta-analysis comparing primary surgery versus primary radiotherapy. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;47(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-018-0262-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Cabanillas R, Rodrigo JP, Llorente JL, Suárez C. Oncologic outcomes of transoral laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma compared with a transcervical approach. Head Neck. 2008;30(6):750–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.20778.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Fiz I, Koelmel JC, Sittel C. Nature and role of surgical margins in transoral laser microsurgery for early and intermediate glottic cancer. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;26(2):78–83. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000446.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Canis M, Ihler F, Martin A, Matthias C, Steiner W. Transoral laser microsurgery for T1a glottic cancer: review of 404 cases. Head Neck. 2015;37(6):889–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.23688.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Jumaily M, Faraji F, Osazuwa-Peters N, Walker RJ, Ward GM. Prognostic significance of surgical margins after transoral laser microsurgery for early-stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol. 2019;97:105–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.08.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Fiz I, Mazzola F, Fiz F, et al. Impact of close and positive margins in transoral laser microsurgery for TIS-T2 glottic cancer. Front Oncol. 2017;7(OCT):1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2017.00245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Remacle M, Matar N, Delos M, Nollevaux MC, Jamart J, Lawson G. Is frozen section reliable in transoral CO2 laser-assisted cordectomies? Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2010;267(3):397–400. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1101-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Piazza C, Filauro M, Paderno A, et al. Three-dimensional map of isoprognostic zones in glottic cancer treated by transoral laser microsurgery as a unimodal treatment strategy. Front Oncol. 2018;8(MAY):1–7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00175.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Hendriksma M, Sjögren EV. Involvement of the anterior commissure in early glottic cancer (tis-T2): a review of the literature. Cancers (Basel). 2019;11(9):1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers11091234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Vilaseca I, Nogués-Sabaté A, Avilés-Jurado FX, et al. Factors of local recurrence and organ preservation with transoral laser microsurgery in laryngeal carcinomas; CHAID decision-tree analysis. Head Neck. 2019;41(3):756–64. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Carta F, Bandino F, Olla AM, Chuchueva N, Gerosa C, Puxeddu R. Prognostic value of age, subglottic, and anterior commissure involvement for early glottic carcinoma treated with CO2 laser transoral microsurgery: a retrospective, single-center cohort study of 261 patients. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2018;275(5):1199–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-4890-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Peretti G, Piazza C, Mora F, Garofolo S, Guastini L. Reasonable limits for transoral laser microsurgery in laryngeal cancer. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;24(2):135–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000240.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Blanch JL, Vilaseca I, Caballero M, Moragas M, Berenguer J, Bernal-Sprekelsen M. Outcome of transoral laser microsurgery for T2-T3 tumors growing in the laryngeal anterior commissure. Head Neck. 2011;33(9):1252–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Allegra E, Saita V, Azzolina A, et al. Impact of the anterior commissure involvement on the survival of early glottic cancer treated with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy: a retrospective study. Cancer Manag Res. 2018;10:5553–8. https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S182854.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Del Bon F, Piazza C, Lancini D, et al. Open partial horizontal laryngectomies for T3–T4 laryngeal cancer: Prognostic impact of anterior vs. posterior laryngeal compartmentalization. Cancers (Basel). 2019;11(3) https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers11030289.

  54. Hirano M, Kurita S, Matsuoka H, Tateishi M. Vocal fold fixation in laryngeal carcinomas. Acta Otolaryngol. 1991;111(2):449–54. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016489109137418.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Hendriksma M, Heijnen BJ, Sjögren EV. Oncologic and functional outcomes of patients treated with transoral CO 2 laser microsurgery or radiotherapy for T2 glottic carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;26(2):84–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOO.0000000000000438.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Lionello M, Bertolin A, Nardello E, et al. Could the infiltration of the thyroarytenoid muscle define the pT2 glottic carcinoma? Head Neck. 2019;41(10):3639–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25893.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Bron LP, Soldati D, Zouhair A, et al. Treatment of early stage squamous-cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx: endoscopic surgery or cricohyoidoepiglottopexy versus radiotherapy. Head Neck. 2001;23(10):823–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.1120.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Elisabeth, Sjogren Martine, Hendriksma Cesare, Piazza Dana M., Hartl Carlos, Suarez Oded, Cohen Remco, de Bree Miquel, Quer Vincent Vander, Poorten Juan Pablo, Rodrigo Francisco, Civantos Eric, Genden Luiz P., Kowalski Antti, Makitie Ashok, Shaha Robert P., Takes Alvaro, Sanabria Orlando, Guntinas-Lichius Alessandra, Rinaldo Alfio, Ferlito. Voice Outcome After Carbon Dioxide Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Glottic Cancer According to the European Laryngological Society Classification of Cordectomy Types – A Systematic Review. Journal of Voice. 2022: S0892199722000698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.03.003.

  59. Peretti G, Mensi MC, Piazza C, Rossini M, Balzanelli C, Antonelli AR. Preoperative and postoperative voice in Tis-T1 glottic cancer treated by endoscopic cordectomy: an additional issue for patient counseling. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112(9 I):759–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940311200903.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Peretti G, Piazza C, Cantarella G, Balzanelli C, Nicolai P. Vocal outcome after endoscopic cordectomies for tis and T1 glottic carcinomas. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112(2):174–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940311200212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Peretti G, Piazza C, Cattaneo A, De Benedetto L, Martin E, Nicolai P. Comparison of functional outcomes after endoscopic versus open-neck supraglottic laryngectomies. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2006;115(11):827–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940611501106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Davis RK, Kriskovich MD, Buntin CS, Galloway EB, Jepsen MC. Endoscopic supraglottic laryngectomy with postoperative irradiation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2004;113(2):132–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940411300210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cesare Piazza .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Piazza, C., Eckel, H.E., Remacle, M., Dela Cruz, P., Peretti, G., Sampieri, C. (2022). Transoral Approach for Early Laryngeal Cancers. In: Remacle, M., Eckel, H.E. (eds) Textbook of Surgery of Larynx and Trachea. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09621-1_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09621-1_24

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-09620-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-09621-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics