Oncologic and functional outcomes of pretreatment tracheotomy in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A multi-institutional analysis

Patients undergoing pretreatment tracheotomy for primary T4 laryngeal cancer had decreased overall survival compared to patients without pretreatment tracheotomy. There was no difference in local recurrence rates based on tracheotomy status. Organ preservation with chemotherapy and radiation did not result in better functional outcomes than surgery in the pretreatment tracheotomy group as nearly half of patients treated with organ preservation remained tracheotomy dependent. Based on this data, pretreatment tracheotomy may impact oncologic and functional outcomes in advanced disease, and it should be a consideration in an informed decision-making process.