LANDMARK: Patient preference for speech versus survival in laryngeal cancer

Speech and survival: tradeoffs between quality and quantity of life in laryngeal cancer

Mcneil BJ, Weichselbaum R, Pauker SG. Speech and survival: tradeoffs between quality and quantity of life in laryngeal cancer. N Engl J Med. 1981;305(17):982-7.

Take Home Points:

  • T3 laryngeal cancer treatments: Total laryngectomy (TL) vs Radiation Therapy (RT)
  • Patients are willing to trade ’15-30%’ of survival with RT to preserve speech
  • Patients attitudes on quality AND quantity of life should be included in decision making