A patient with T1 glottic carcinoma (confined to vocal cord, mobile) is best treated with:
- A Total laryngectomy
- B Chemotherapy alone
- C Radiotherapy or endoscopic laser cordectomy — both are equally effective with voice preservation ✓
- D Supraglottic laryngectomy
Correct answer: C. Radiotherapy or endoscopic laser cordectomy — both are equally effective with voice preservation
Explanation
T1 glottic SCC has an excellent cure rate (>90%) with both external beam radiotherapy and endoscopic CO2 laser cordectomy (transoral laser microsurgery). Both modalities achieve comparable local control with voice preservation, making them the standard of care. Total laryngectomy is reserved for advanced or recurrent disease. Supraglottic laryngectomy is designed for supraglottic tumors, not glottic T1.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.