EORTC 24891 Trial Alternative Name
The EORTC 24891 trial is also known as the "EORTC Hypopharynx Trial." 1
Trial Identification and Context
This landmark trial was conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and is consistently referred to in the literature as the "EORTC Hypopharynx Trial" or "EORTC 24891." 1, 2
The trial specifically enrolled patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the pyriform sinus and lateral epilarynx (aryepiglottic fold and medial pyriform), distinguishing it from pure laryngeal cancer trials. 1, 3
Trial Design and Historical Significance
EORTC 24891 was a prospective, randomized phase III study that began in 1990, comparing larynx-preserving treatment (induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in complete responders) versus conventional treatment (total laryngopharyngectomy with radical neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy). 3
The trial enrolled 202 patients who were randomized, with 194 eligible for treatment analysis. 2, 3
Long-term results were reported at a median follow-up of 10.5 years, demonstrating that the larynx-preservation approach did not compromise survival while allowing more than half of survivors to retain their larynx. 2
Clinical Impact
This trial, along with the VA laryngeal cancer study, established the foundation for non-surgical larynx preservation approaches using induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in responders. 4, 5
The EORTC 24891 findings verified that induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy was an appropriate alternative to total laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer. 5