Redefining Prognosis: Long-Term Outcomes of TORS for Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers
09-10, 15:30–16:00 (Europe/Istanbul), Head & Neck Oncology 2

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<p>1 – Description: Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) represents a transformative advancement in the surgical management of T1–T3 hypopharyngeal cancers and glottic cancers involving the anterior commissure—tumors traditionally considered to have poor prognoses and located at complex anatomical locations. This robotic-assisted technique features a high-magnified 3-D endoscope and endo-wristed instruments with motion scaling and tremor reduction capabilities. These technological advantages enable surgeons to perform precise, minimally invasive resections while preserving critical structures and organ function. In cases of recurrent laryngeal cancer requiring total laryngectomy, TORS may be applied to minimize trauma to cervical skin and mucosal surfaces of the upper digestive tract, thereby reducing postoperative complications. This session will present over a decade of clinical experience using TORS in combination with neck dissection, emphasizing its role in accurate pathological staging, long-term oncologic control, and functional outcomes. The potential for adjuvant therapy de-intensification based on surgical findings will also be discussed. Special focus will be given to patient selection, surgical strategy, the role of neoadjuvant therapy, and innovative procedures such as TORS supra-cricoid partial laryngectomy with thyroid cartilage preservation and minimally invasive total laryngectomy. Drawing from long-term follow-up data, this presentation will demonstrate how TORS offers not only functional preservation but also potential survival benefits for appropriately selected patients.</p> <p>2 – Outcome Objectives: -Understand innovative techniques of TORS and criteria for optimal patient selection.</p> <p>-Learn how TORS enables accurate pathological staging and informs adjuvant therapy planning.</p> <p>-Recognize key prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes, including pathological N stage and extranodal extension (ENE) in hypopharyngeal cancer.</p> <p>-Appreciate long-term survival rates and functional outcomes following TORS for hypopharyngeal and glottic cancers involving the anterior commissure.</p> <p>-Explore the potential role of neoadjuvant therapy in enhancing outcomes prior to TORS.</p> <p>3 – Structure of the Session: The keynote speaker will share over 10 years of experience in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. He will present innovative surgical techniques through operative videos and discuss long-term outcomes based on his peer-reviewed publications, along with the latest unpublished data available prior to the congress. The session will conclude with a 5-minute Q&A to encourage audience engagement.</p> <p>4 – Background (Selected Key References):</p> <p>References</p> <p>1. Chen-Chi Wang el al. Trans-oral robotic surgery for early T-classification hypopharyngeal cancer. Head Neck. 2016 Jun;38(6):857-62</p> <p>2. Chen-Chi Wang el al. Transoral Robotic Surgery for Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers-A prospective Medium-Term Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2;10(5):967</p> <p>3. Chen-Chi Wang el al. Transoral Robotic Surgery for Early-T Stage Glottic Cancer Involving the Anterior Commissure—News and Update. Front Oncol. 2022 Jan 31;12:755400. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.755400. eCollection 2022</p> <p>4. Chen-Chi Wang el al. Long-term Outcomes of Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery-Assisted Total Laryngectomy for Recurrent Laryngeal Cancers. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2020 Jun 10; 50(6): 653-660</p> <p>5. Chen-Chi Wang el al. Transoral robotic surgery for early glottic carcinoma involving anterior commissure. Head Neck. 2016 Jun;38(6):913-8.</p>
<p>To present over a decade of clinical experience using transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, highlighting its role in accurate staging, long-term outcomes, functional preservation, and potential for adjuvant therapy de-intensification.</p>
Session Chair Session Chair
Utku Aydil
Speaker Speaker
Chen-Chi Wang, MD
Chen-Chi Wang, MD
<p>Prof. Chen-Chi Wang is a full professor at National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei and National Chung Hsing University in Taichung, Taiwan. He received his M.D. from National Yang-Ming University in 1994 and completed residency training in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH) in 2000. He furthered his training in phonosurgery under Prof. Hiroyuki Fukuda in Tokyo and in head and neck oncology under Prof. Eugene N. Myers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He also studied under Prof. Steven M. Zeitels in 2004.</p> <p>Prof. Wang served as Director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at TCVGH from 2017 to 2023 and leaded the International Medical Service Center from 2022 to early 2025. He is actively involved in global academic communities, having served as Secretary General (2015–2019), Executive Board Member (2019–2023), and Advisor (2023–present) of the Asia-Oceania Association of Otorhinolaryngological Societies. He is President of the Taiwan Voice Society and a board member of multiple international organizations in voice, thyroid, and robotic surgery.</p> <p>His research focuses on laryngopharyngeal reflux, laryngology, and robotic head and neck surgery. He has published numerous innovative studies, including a book chapter on “EMG-Guided Injection Laryngoplasty” in Vocal Fold Injection. Prof. Wang has received numerous national honors, including the Symbol of National Quality (2016, 2021), National Innovation Award (2022), and the NHQA Diamond Prize (2024). In 2018, he was elected a member of the Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologicum Amicitiae Sacrum (CORLAS).</p>
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Utku Aydil
<p>Graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 2000. He completed his ENT&HNS education at ENT Department of Gazi University Faculty of Medicine and has been working as a faculty member in the same clinic in the field of head and neck surgery since 2011. His main fields of study are Larynx cancers, salivary gland tumors and neck masses. He has published more than 80 articles and has an h-index of 16.</p>
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