Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2009 Aug;52(8):688-694. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.8.688.

The Treatment Outcome of Hypopharynx Cancer : Surgery versus Organ Preservation Therapy

• Tae K
• Shin KS
• Kim TH
• Shin JH
• Jeong JH
• Ahn TH
• Chun HC
• Lee MZ

• KMID: 2277086
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.8.688

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypopharynx cancer usually presents with late stage diseases requiring radical resection including total laryngectomy with reconstruction resulting in severe functional deficits. In order to preserve organ function, chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy was introduced and it showed similar treatment. The aim of this study is to compare the treatment outcomes of surgery and organ preservation therapy.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A retrospective review of 55 patients who were diagnosed with hypopharynx cancer and underwent curative treatment from 1994 to 2006 was performed. Patients who underwent surgery or surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy were assigned to surgical treatment group and patients who underwent radiotherapy or radiotherapy with chemotherapy were assigned to organ preservation therapy group.
RESULTS
Surgical treatment group consisted of 29 patients (52.7%) and organ preservation therapy group consisted of 26 patients (47.3%). The overall 5 year survival rate was 34%. The survival rate was decreased significantly according to the N stage (p=0.02). There was no statistically significant difference in 5 year survival rates between the two groups. The larynx preservation rate was 35.8% for the organ preservation therapy group and 44% for the conservation surgery group.
CONCLUSION
Treatment of hypopharynx cancer could be individualized according to the status of diseases.

Keyword

Hypopharyngeal cancer; Surgery; Organ preservation; Survival

MeSH Terms

Humans
Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
Hypopharynx
Laryngectomy
Larynx
Organ Preservation
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Treatment Outcome