Combined surgery and radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Kraus, D H; Zelefsky, M J; Brock, H A; Huo, J; Harrison, L B; Shah, J P · Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · 1997

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx remains a highly lethal disease. This article documents our experience with 132 patients undergoing surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx, of whom 80% received postoperative radiation therapy. Local-regional control was obtained in 61% of the patients. Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 30% and 41%, respectively. Prognosis was better in patients with limited disease: local disease permitting larynx-sparing surgery, N0/N1 clinical neck, and stage I/II/III disease. Cancer of the hypopharynx remains an aggressive entity associated with poor prognosis. Novel strategies stressing improved local-regional control with prevention of distant metastasis are warranted.

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