Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx: single-institution outcome analysis of a large cohort of patients treated with primary non-surgical approaches.
BACKGROUND
Hypopharyngeal cancers have extensive submucosal spread, high risk of nodal involvement and relatively high propensity of distant metastases. Contemporary paradigms for hypopharyngeal cancers aim to maximize loco-regional control while attempting to preserve laryngo-pharyngeal form and function.


OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review outcome of large cohort of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers treated with curative intent radiotherapy with or without systemic chemotherapy in an academic tertiary referral centre.


METHODS
Medical records of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers treated with primary non-surgical approaches over a 15-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Loco-regional control (LRC) and disease-free survival (DFS) were considered as outcome measures.


RESULTS
Electronic search of database identified 501 patients with hypopharyngeal cancers treated with definitive radiotherapy. The median age was 55 years (range 20-87 years) and median radiotherapy dose 70 Gy (range 5.4-72 Gy). With a mean follow-up period of 22 months (median 12 months), the 3-year LRC and DFS was 47.1% and 40.9% respectively. Stage (T-stage, N-stage, overall stage grouping), and age influenced outcome significantly. The 3-year LRC for T1-T2 disease was 49.7% versus 43.1% for T3- T4 stage (p0.056). The 3-year DFS was 49.4% and 36.9% respectively (p0.014). The 3-year LRC and DFS for N0; N1; and N2-3 disease was 57.3% & 54.3%; 40.5% & 35.3%; and 33% & 27% respectively with highly significant p-values.


CONCLUSIONS
This is an outcome analysis of the largest cohort of patients with hypopharyngeal cancers managed with primary non-surgical approaches. Stage and age remain the most important determinants of outcome.
Gupta
Tejpal
T
Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Chopra
Supriya
S
Agarwal
Jai Prakash
JP
Laskar
Sarbani-Ghosh
SG
D'cruz
Anil K
AK
Shrivastava
Shyam K
SK
Dinshaw
Ketayun A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult