Hypopharyngeal cancer: Difference between revisions
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{{Hypopharyngeal cancer}} | {{Hypopharyngeal cancer}} | ||
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==Natural History , Complications and Prognosis== | ==Natural History , Complications and Prognosis== | ||
===Complications=== | ===Complications=== | ||
Revision as of 15:46, 18 September 2012
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Hypopharyngeal cancer Microchapters |
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Hypopharyngeal cancer On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hypopharyngeal cancer |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Natural History , Complications and Prognosis
Complications
- Airway obstruction
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain during 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)
Prognosis
Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can 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. After treatment, patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and will need to be fed through a feeding tube
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Hoarseness of voice
- Change in voice
- Lump in the neck
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia
Laboratory Tests
Biopsy
- Biopsy of the tumor yields correct diagnosis
Chest X Ray
- X-ray chest helps in identifying metastasis.
CT Scan
- CT scan of neck, head and throat helps in diagnosis
Treatment
- The goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Medical Treatment
- 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.
Surgery
- When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor.
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.
Supportive Treatment
Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.