Guideline for the Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer from the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

Objectives: The treatment of laryngeal cancer requires clinical decision-making that balances survival outcomes with the preservation of essential functions such as voice and swallowing. The study, led by the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery, aims to establish evidence-based recommendations to guide optimal treatment decisions for patients with laryngeal cancer from surgeons' perspectives.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases by a literature search expert and reviewed by a panel of 39 experts in the committee. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence and to develop and report recommendations. The strength of a recommendation indicates the guideline panel's confidence that the benefits of an intervention outweigh its risks for the target population. After drafting the guidelines, Delphi questionnaires were distributed to members of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery and an external reviewer panel.

Results: A total of 15 evidence-based recommendations are provided, addressing six essential aspects of laryngeal cancer treatment: early-stage treatment, locally advanced cancer treatment, neck management, adjuvant therapy, swallowing rehabilitation, and salvage treatment for recurrent tumors.

Conclusion: The guidelines provide evidence-based, validated recommendations to support clinicians in making optimal treatment decisions in laryngeal cancer.