Hypopharyngeal cancer (patient information)
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Hypopharyngeal cancer |
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Hypopharyngeal cancer On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Gertrude Djouka, M.D.[2]
Overview
Cancer of the throat is the cancer of pharynx (bottom part of the throat), voice box (larynx), vocal cords, and others areas.
What are the Symptoms of Hypopharyngeal cancer?
- A Sore throat that doesn't go away
- A Lump in the neck
- Pain or ringing in the ears
- Trouble swallowing
- Ear pain
- Change in the voice
What Causes Hypopharyngeal cancer?
People who smoke or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for throat cancers.
Who is at Highest Risk?
Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are more likely than women to develop throat cancers.
Diagnosis
The doctor will perform a physical exam. This may show a lump on the outside of the neck.
Tests may include:
- Biopsy of suspected tumor
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of chest
- CT scan of head and neck
- Endoscopy
- PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography scan)
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care?
Call your health care provider if:
You have symptoms of throat cancer, especially hoarseness or a change in voice with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks. You find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks.
Treatment Options
- The goal of treatment is to completely remove the tumor, and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor.
- When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box.
- Some patients need surgery to remove the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy). If you have a laryngectomy, speech therapy can help you learn other ways to talk.
- Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.
Where to find Medical Care for (Disease name)?
Medical care for hypopharyngeal cancer can be found here.
Prevention
- Avoid smoking and tobacco exposure
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Avoid HPV infection
- HPV vaccines recommended for children and young adults target HPV subtypes
- Use of industrial respirators and workplace ventilation
- Eat healthy and balance diets
What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- The outlook for people with hypopharyngeal cancer varies by the stage (extent) of the cancer – in general, the survival rates are higher for people with earlier stage cancer.
- Many other factors such as a person's age, overall health, location of the cancer in the body, and the cancer response to treatment can also affect a person’s outlook.
- The outlook for each person is specific to their circumstances.
- Throat cancers may be cured in most patients if they are detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, some patients may be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life.
- Patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing after the treatment. If the person is not able to swallow, a feeding tube will be needed.
- The recurrence risk in throat cancer is highest during the first 2 to 3 years of diagnosis.
- Regular follow-up after the diagnosis and treatment is very important to increase the chances of survival.
Possible Complications
- Airway obstruction
- Difficulty swallowing
- Disfigurement of the neck or face
- Hardening of the skin of the neck
- Loss of voice and speaking ability
- Spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis)