[Ackerman's tumors of the larynx: results of CO2 laser surgery].

BACKGROUND

Ackerman's tumor, named after the author of the first description in 1948, is a low grade malignant tumor. The aim of this paper is to clarify the role of the carbon dioxide laser therapy in the management of this neoplastic disorder of the larynx.

PATIENTS

Twenty-four men and one woman suffering from glottic tumors fulfilled the diagnostic criteria laid down by Ackerman from 1986 to 1998. All patients were treated with transoral laser surgery with a follow-up ranged from 14 to 142 months.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were diagnosed at T1, seven at T2, and one at T3. In T1 lesions, a laser cordectomy or an extended laser cordectomy was performed. In T2 and T3 tumors, partial laryngectomy with a CO2 laser was performed. No patient died tumor-related. In this series, initial failure rate of laser resection was 8%: one patient was salvaged with endolaryngeal laser surgery, another patient (initially T3 tumor) with total laryngectomy. No patient required radiation therapy. No cases of anaplastic transformation were recognized.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this material, recommended treatment for T1 and T2 Ackerman-Tumors is oncologic CO2 laser resection in combination with a meticulous follow up for every recognition of local recurrences.