To evaluate the perception of the survival/laryngeal preservation trade-off in advanced T-stage laryngeal cancer.

The Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases were searched using the keywords “cancer, neoplasms, trade-off. One hundred and eighty four articles were found; 176 of these, without data in the Abstract documenting the survival/laryngeal preservation trade-off for advanced T-stage laryngeal cancer, were excluded. Eight articles, totaling 1,052 interviewees, were read to document modalities of evaluation, trade-off thresholds, and variables influencing the perception of trade-off.

Evaluation of trade-off was based on responses in group discussions, interviews and questionnaires and on patient file analysis. One study reported that 28.2% of respondents could not make a decision between options, and in 4 studies 22% to 80% of respondents would not consider jeopardizing survival. A mean 2–3 year gain (range, 6 months to 5 years) in survival was required before preferring total laryngectomy to chemoradiotherapy. The percentage loss of disease-free survival tolerated by respondents who would consider a trade-off to preserve the larynx ranged from 5% to 100%, for a median 30%. Variables influencing trade-off comprised respondent status (patient/healthcare provider/healthy subject) and characteristics (job, having children) and treatment data (amount and modalities of information delivered, survival estimates after radiation therapy, health status after treatment). A time for reflection after diagnosis and good quality information were important for respondents.

Several consequences emerge from these data. The first is to consider induction chemotherapy, to give the patient time to make an informed choice. The second is to not to give up teaching total laryngectomy The third is to determine whether the team's own results match the information delivered to patients.