Role of combined therapy in advanced carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx

The present prospective preliminary study is based on treatment of stage III and IV cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx with a planned combined regimen of radiotherapy and radical surgery. There is a reduction in the failure rate in these cases as compared to those treated in this centre with a single modality of therapy like radiotherapy or surgery alone. 69% of the patients thus treated are surviving disease-free for follow ups varying 18–30 months with a median follow up of 24 months following combined treatment.