Larynx preservation in head and neck cancers - A discussion of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network practice guidelines

The management of advanced cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx has become increasingly complex as different treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, have been combined with the goal of improving local disease control and disease-specific survival. A union of 17 comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, the National Comprehensive Care Network (NCCN), was formed in 1995 to promote state-of-the-art cancer care. To achieve this goal, multidisciplinary panels of experts from member institutions have created disease-specific practice guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of cancer patients, including those with head and neck cancers. Although detailed analysis of surgical methods and radiation techniques are beyond the scope of this article, the evolving laryngeal preservation strategics for patients with advanced, resectable hypopharyngeal or laryngeal (including supraglottic and glottic) cancers are reviewed using relevant sections of the NCCN practice guidelines as a framework for discussion.