Relationship of medial versus superior vocal-cord location of T1 squamous cell carcinoma with tumor recurrence

Objective To determine if the clinical behavior of T1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma varies by its location on the medial free edge or upper aspect of the vocal cords. Study design Retrospective cohort. Setting Single tertiary university-affiliated medical center. Subjects and methods Clinical, treatment, and outcome data were collected for 104 patients with T1N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma who were treated and followed at our center in 1995–2013. Findings were compared between those with a tumor on the medial (n = 60, 57.7%) or superior (n = 44, 42.3%) aspect of the cords. Results Mean follow-up time was 4.15 years. No between-group differences were found in demographic or risk factors. There was a significant association of anterior commissure involvement with disease recurrence (P = 0.0012) and of superior (vs medial) location with higher rates of anterior commissure involvement (P < 0.001) and recurrence (P = 0.01) and shorter time to recurrence (P < 0.001). Conclusions T1 squamous cell carcinomas on the superior aspect of the vocal cords have a poorer prognosis than medial tumors and should be closely monitored for recurrence.