Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Jun;42(6):770-775.

Surgical Treatment of Posterior Hypopharyngeal Wall Cancer

• Choi EC
• Kim YH
• Koh JW
• Kim DY
• Lee SY
• Chung S
• Lew DH
• Kim CB

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Posterior hypopharyngeal wall cancer is rarely encountered. There are diverse surgical approa-ches for this lesion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We have reviewed our 5-year experience with 12 patients treated for squamous carcinoma of the posterior hypopharyngeal wall. Surgery was the definitive therapy for the primary tumor in all patients. All but one were previously untreated. Seven patients had limited resections that preserved the larynx, involving suprahyoid pharyngotomy (1 patient), transoral and suprahyoid pharyngotomy (1 patient), lateral pharyngotomy (1 patient), suprahyoid and lateral pharyngotomy (2 patients), mandibular swing and lateral pharyngotomy (2 patients). The second group consisted of 5 patients with more extensive tumors who required a laryngectomy and complex reconstruction. All in this group required flap reconstruction.
RESULTS
Eight were NED, one was lost postoperatively and three patients developed local recurrence.
CONCLUSION
Our experience highlights the variety of treatment approaches available in patients with pharyngeal carcinoma confined to the posterior wall.

Keyword

Posterior hypopharyngeal cancer; Hypopharygeal reconstruction

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Humans
Laryngectomy
Larynx
Recurrence