A patient with T1N0M0 glottic laryngeal carcinoma (true vocal cord only, normal mobility) is being offered treatment options. Which of the following correctly describes the expected 5-year local control rate for radiotherapy versus transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for T1 glottic cancer?
- A Both achieve approximately equivalent local control of 85–95% ✓
- B Radiotherapy ~85–90%, TLM ~70–75%
- C TLM ~95%, radiotherapy ~60–65%
- D Radiotherapy ~70%, TLM ~85%
Correct answer: A. Both achieve approximately equivalent local control of 85–95%
Explanation
For T1 glottic carcinoma, both radiotherapy and transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) achieve equivalent local control rates of approximately 85–95%, making voice quality, patient preference, access to treatment, and cost the main differentiating factors. TLM offers the advantage of preservation of adjacent tissue and immediate pathological staging, while radiotherapy avoids general anaesthesia and surgery but requires multiple fractions. Neither modality is clearly superior in oncological outcome for T1 glottic disease.
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.