The current studies documented the results achieved with chemotherapy alone with curative intent in a series of 67 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngolarynx classified as T1-T4N0M0 complete clinical responders after a platin-based induction chemotherapy regimen.

Group I consisted of 36 patients with tumors originating from the glottis. Group II consisted of 31 patients with tumors originating from sites within the pharyngolarynx other than the glottis. A minimum of 3 years of follow-up was achieved. Statistical analyses of survival, local control, lymph node control, distant metastasis, and second primary tumor rates were based on the Kaplan-Meier life-table method. Laryngeal preservation rates and local control rates are presented.

The 5-year actuarial survival estimate was 85.1% in Group I patients and 54.8% in Group II patients. Survival was statistically more likely to be reduced in Group II patients compared with Group I patients (P = 0.01). The 5-year actuarial local control estimate was 65.7% in Group I patients and 37.5% in Group II patients. Local failure was statistically more likely to occur in Group II patients compared with Group I patients (P = 0.02). Local control rates after salvage treatment were 100% in Group I patients and 83% in Group II patients. Laryngeal preservation rates after salvage treatment were 100% in Group I patients and 64% in Group II patients. The 5-year actuarial lymph node control estimate was 90% in Group I patients and 73.7% in Group II patients. Lymph node failure was statistically more likely to occur in Group II patients compared with Group I patients (P = 0.04). The 5-year actuarial estimate for patients without distant metastasis was 100% in Group I patients and 90% in Group II patients. Distant metastasis was statistically more likely to occur in Group II patients compared with Group I patients (P = 0.03). The 10-year actuarial estimate for patients without metachronous second primary tumors was 56.4% in Group I and 46.1% in Group II.

The current report 1) contradicts the old dogma of nonchemocurability for invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and 2) suggests that the use of a platin-based chemotherapy-alone regimen with curative intent in patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the pharyngolarynx who are classified as T1-T4N0M0 complete clinical responders after receiving an induction chemotherapy regimen is best indicated when the tumor originates from the glottis.