Is primary radiotherapy an acceptable treatment modality for verrucous carcinoma of the larynx?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Verrucous carcinoma is a well-differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma. The oral cavity is the most common site of occurrence, followed by the larynx. Treatment of laryngeal verrucous carcinoma (LVC) is controversial. LVC is often approached with a different mindset compared to that for conventional laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Radiotherapy, commonly used in all stages of conventional laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, is often avoided in LVC because early reports described a potential for anaplastic transformation with this treatment modality. Early studies also suggested inferior locoregional control compared to surgery. As such, surgery has traditionally been the preferred treatment modality for LVC. However, more contemporary reports have questioned this preference and challenged the early concerns of anaplastic transformation and inferior prognosis with radiotherapy.