Modern approaches to combined modality treatment for laryngeal and laryngopharyngeal cancers

Treatment of laryngeal and laryngopharyngeal cancers is a significant medical problem. The combined treatment including radiation therapy and laryngectomy is considered to be a conventional treatment modality for patients with squamous cell laryngeal and laryngopharyngeal cancers. The treatment regimen involving chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy and surgery is a prospective approach to increase the treatment efficacy. Besides anti-tumor effect, chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy gives radio sensitizing effect to a greater or lesser extent, increases the rate of local control and decreases the risk of distant metastasis development. Chemotherapy previously used as a treatment modality for advanced disease with recurrence and metastases is currently used in neoadjuvant regimen to minimize tumor process and to decrease the extent of surgery, or it is combined with radiation therapy for performing organ-preserving treatment. Thus, the organ and its function can be preserved in most patients improving significantly their life quality.