The purpose of this communication is to present a radiotherapeutic test that has proved to be of practical value in testing the radiosensitivity of cancer of the larynx. The information thus gained is distinctly useful in deciding between laryngectomy and radiotherapy in certain cases of intrinsic, operable carcinoma in which a decision is otherwise difficult.
Therapeutically, cancers of the larynx appear to fall into five general clinical groups: (1) clearly inoperable lesions; (2) clearly operable early lesions suitable for laryngofissure or radiotherapy; (3) clearly operable lesions too advanced for laryngofissure or radiotherapy but suitable for laryngectomy; (4) lesions which are too advanced for laryngofissure but suitable for either laryngectomy or radiotherapy in regard to which a choice between the two procedures is difficult because partial mobility of the structures indicates probable radiosensitivity; (5) cancers in patients in whom certain general conditions lead one to consider radiotherapy in preference to laryngectomy,