Carcinoma of the hypopharynx results of primary radical radiation therapy.
The results of radiation therapy as applied to patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx seen during the period 1972-1976 at the Princess Margaret Hospital are presented. Approximately 2/3 of the patient population presented with disease involving the regional lymph nodes or with systemic metastases. Ninety percent (127/141) of all patients registered were treated primarily with radiation therapy with surgery reserved for the management of residual or recurrent disease only. Seventy-seven percent (98/127) of those who received radiation therapy were treated with radical intent. The uncorrected actuarial 5 year survival rate for those patients treated radically was 19%. Five year actuarial survival rates by the UICC TNM (1974) staging system, showed that nodal disease was the most significant determinant of survival. Five year survival rates were as follows: N0 36%; N1 20%; N2N30%. When considered within each nodal category the survival of the combined T1T2 group was not significantly different from the T3 category. Forty-five percent of those patients who failed with local or regional disease had an attempt at salvage surgery. Of these, 6/24 ultimately achieved local and regional control. Comparisons with other series in the literature are discussed and reasons for differences in published results are considered.
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes