Beyond complete remission: A comparative analysis of long‐term laryngeal function in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer following radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation

Background This study evaluates functional larynx preservation in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) and laryngeal cancer (LC) who achieved complete remission following radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT). Methods HPC and LC patients treated with RT/CCRT from 1999 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Severe late dysphagia and tracheostomy cases were assessed to determine laryngeal function. Long‐term preservation rate of functional larynx and associated factors were evaluated. Results Of 152 patients (55 HPC, 97 LC), nine developed severe dysphagia, occurring on average 58.2 months post‐treatment. HPC and cervical node metastasis significantly increased the risk of laryngeal function impairment (p