[Extracapsular spread as an ominous prognostic sign in laryngeal cancer].
OBJECTIVE: Impact of extracapsular spread upon survival and recurrence rates in patients with laryngeal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 309 patients with pathologically confirmed regional metastases with and without extracapsular spread (144 and 165 patients respectively). To examine impact of clinical variables upon treatment outcomes we used logistic regression (logit) and Kaplan-Meier method to calculate 5-years disease free survival. RESULTS: Extracapsular spread significantly reduced 5-years survival (40% vs 77%; p = 0.005) and increased regional recurrence rates (33% vs 12%; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Authors suggest use of radiotherapy after neck dissection in presence of extracapsular spread.