Long-term impact of smoking cessation on new glottic cancer events in patients with early glottic cancer

Objective. Patients with early glottic cancer sometimes exhibit new glottic cancer events after 5 years. This study aimed to analyse the patterns and risk factors of new glottic cancer events in patients with early glottic cancer 5 years after initial treatment. Methods. In total, 209 patients were included in this study. Age, sex, T stage, anterior commissure involvement, smoking pattern and treatment modality were retrospectively analysed. Results. The median follow-up was 91 (range, 60-266) months. The median time for the occurrence of new glottic cancer events was 97 (range, 61-199) months. New glottic cancer events occurred 5 years after initial treatment in 16 (7.6%) patients, among whom 12 (75.0%) had new glottic cancer event lesions overlapping with initial lesions. Smoking cessation after treatment was significantly correlated with fewer new glottic cancer events after 5 years. Conclusions. New glottic cancer events occurring 5 years after initial treatment in patients with early glottic cancer are not negligible. In particular, if smoking is continued after treat-ment, these patients can experience new glottic cancer events even after 5 years.