WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Zahraa Mohammed Hussein Abdulameer and Haydar Hamza ALAbidy

ABSTRACT

Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignancy of the head and neck, strongly linked to tobacco and alcohol use. While total laryngectomy remains a curative option, it significantly affects quality of life. Definitive radiotherapy has become a preferred larynx-preserving alternative, particularly in early to moderately advanced stages of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of definitive radiotherapy in managing non-metastatic LSCC, focusing on treatment outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS), and key prognostic factors influencing radiotherapy response. Patients and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, including 20 patients diagnosed with stage I–III non-metastatic LSCC between 2017 and 2019. All patients received radical radiotherapy. Clinical data were collected, including demographics, tumor stage, radiotherapy regimen, and follow-up outcomes. Response and recurrence were evaluated using radiological and endoscopic assessments. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate PFS. Results: The study population had a mean age of 63 ± 9.3 years, with 75% being male. The majority (55%) presented with T3 stage tumors. The mean radiation dose was 66 ± 3.5 Gy over an average of 32 ± 3 sessions. After a mean follow-up of 36.3 months, 35% of patients remained progression-free, while 65% experienced recurrence. The median PFS was 28 months. Younger age and lower T stage were significantly associated with improved response (p = 0.028 and p = 0.016, respectively), whereas nodal involvement and radiation dose were not. Conclusion: Definitive radiotherapy provides a viable organ-preserving approach in LSCC, especially effective in younger patients with early-stage disease. However, recurrence in advanced cases highlights the need for tailored multimodal strategies.