Treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with primary chemoradiotherapy: functional morbidity

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims at unravelling the medical literature which has reported on the treatment of 'larynx preserving' chemoradiotherapy strategies and separating the treatment sites, larynx and hypopharynx, from each other and reporting on the adverse effects and functional outcomes of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Recent findings: The literature reports on the treatment of advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer with chemoradiotherapy together as a 'common cancer site'. Although the chemotherapeutic drugs affect the tumour and the normal tissues similarly in both the larynx and hypopharynx, their effects on the patient groups are different, mainly affecting swallow, airway protection mechanisms and voice/speech to a greater or lesser extent. Pretreatment symptoms and function should be documented subjectively and objectively prior to commencing nonsurgical treatment. Hypopharyngeal cancer should be reported separately, and preferably stratified into the three subsites, according to the T stage of disease rather than TNM stage. Equipment for such testing and the process for such documentation are available in most clinical areas, worldwide.

Summary: Future analysis relies on the conscientious monitoring of adverse effects of all treatment modalities and an assessment of function as well as quality of life impact on the patient. Thus, the specialty can make informed decisions on the most appropriate and most suitable mode of treatment for individual patients based upon their tumour, their preoperative organ function, their likely future organ function and the likelihood of cure.