Stage grouping reliability: TNM'97 versus TANIS in laryngeal cancer

PURPOSE: To compare the correlation of TANIS and TNM '97 with the survival rate in laryngeal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIAL: From 1970 to 1990, 599 patients at the ENT Clinic, University of Ferrara, had a complete follow-up and met the criteria of enrollment. Data were analyzed by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meler and Cox algorithms). RESULTS: Both systems showed a significant correlation with the survival rate. TANIS advanced subcategories were better correlated with the mortality rate than TNM stages IVa and IVb. Again, in the final statistical model, TANIS was more highly correlated with survival rate than TNM