Extracellular protein (Amyloid) accumulation inside the larynx is a symptom of laryngeal amyloidosis (LA), a rare illness, accounting for just 0.2 to 1.2% of benign laryngeal tumors.
Hoarseness of voice is the most common symptom of LA, which is not associated with any respiratory problems or a history of painful deglutition or swallowing.
Surgical excision is the cornerstone of therapy, although recurrence rates are substantial. To enhance the voice of a patient with laryngeal amyloidosis, at least two back-to-back surgeries and an endoscopic curettage are required. However, a recent study found that treating LA with radiotherapy is a successful alternative.
According to the research published in The Laryngoscope, the use of radiotherapy (RT), either alone or postoperatively, for LA has recently been adopted, and it has been shown that RT following surgery for LA can give good local control without excessive toxicity.
Laryngeal amyloidosis Radiotherapy treatment research
Caitlin Bertelsen and colleagues from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, presented their center’s experience with adjuvant Radiotherapy for LA.
The investigation comprised a retrospective series of patients with laryngeal amyloidosis, with or without additional disease sites, seen at a tertiary academic facility.
Disease features, recurrence rates, treatment methods, and the pre and post treatment voice handicap index (VHI)-10 were among the outcomes. 10 patients satisfied the qualifying requirements, according to the authors.
All except one of the patients had their LA surgically removed. Following that, seven patients had RT. Six of the seven had RT at the institution, with five receiving a 45-Gy dosage and one receiving a 20-Gy dose.
All seven were able to finish RT without any toxicity-related setbacks. Prior to RT, patients had 2.1 ± 1.3 surgical operations; after RT, no patients required surgery.
The mean VHI-10 before therapy was 22.9 ± 8.1, while the mean VHI-10 after treatment was 12.9 ± 13.3.
As a result, the authors came to the conclusion that RT following LA surgery can offer good local control without excessive toxicity and may reduce the need for additional surgery.
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