Radiotherapy reduces need for surgery in patients with laryngeal amyloidosis

A retrospective series of cases with amyloidosis of the larynx, with or without other disease sites, seen at a tertiary academic center were included for the study. Outcomes included disease characteristics, recurrence rates, treatment modalities, and pre- and posttreatment voice handicap index (VHI)-10.

The authors observed that ten patients met eligibility criteria. The mean follow-up time for all patients was 62.0 ± 41.0 months; mean follow-up time after last treatment was 51 ± 55 months.

All but one patient underwent surgical resection of disease. Seven patients underwent subsequent RT. Of these seven, six underwent RT at our institution; five received a dose of 45 Gray (Gy); and one received a dose of 20 Gy.

All seven completed RT without toxicity-related interruption. Patients undergoing RT underwent 2.1 ± 1.3 surgical procedures prior to RT; no patients required surgery after RT. Mean pretreatment VHI-10 was 22.9 ± 8.1; mean posttreatment VHI-10 was 12.9 ± 13.3.

Therefore, this led the authors to conclude that RT after surgery for LA can provide good local control without unacceptable toxicity and may decrease the need for further surgery.