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Background: Surgical resection or radiotherapy (RT) are standard approaches for early-staged hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). Transoral laser microsurgery (TOLMS) seems to provide good oncological and functional results with few local complications. The aim of our study was to analyze the outcomes of TOLMS, with or without neck dissection or RT, in the treatment of HPSCC in a tertiary referral center. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients with early T-category (T1–T2) HPSCC treated by TOLMS. Results: A total of 34 patients were included in the study. The series includes 17 (50%) T1 and 17 (50%) T2 classified tumors. The 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival rates were 51% and 66%, respectively, with a 5-year local control rate of 92%. All patients reassumed oral diet and none of them had a tracheostomy at the end of the follow-up. Conclusions: TOLMS offers an effective treatment option in terms of oncologic control and function preservation in locally circumscribed HPSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer are often treated with chemo-radiotherapy to avoid total laryngectomy. Subclinical swallowing disorders could be present in these patients even though patients do not complain of any symptoms. We sought to evaluate the impact of chemoradiation on swallowing and quality of life. Methods: We studied 21 patients undergoing chemo-radiotherapy for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. All patients were tumor-free and none reported symptoms related to dysphagia during follow-up or showed altered routine screening tests (EAT-10) to detect it. Swallowing functions were assessed using volume–viscosity swallow test (V–VST) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Quality of life was assessed with the EORT-H&N35, and SWAL-QOL scales. Results: Frequent alterations in swallowing efficacy (100%) and safety (85.5%) were detected with V–VST and FEES. Quality-of-life scales showed a reduction in their scores between 12 and 17%, mainly in the areas of symptoms. Conclusion: Swallowing disorders are common after chemo-radiotherapy, even in patients who do not clinically manifest these disorders, contributing to a decrease in patients' quality of life. FEES and V–VST are useful procedures to detect asymptomatic swallowing disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]