Hypopharyngeal cancer

Hypopharyngeal Cancer is a disease in which malignant cells grow in the hypopharynx (the area where the larynx and esophagus meet). [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

It first forms in the outer layer (epithelium) of the hypopharynx (last part of the pharynx), which is split into three areas. Progression of the disease is defined by the spread of cancer into one or more areas and into deeper tissues. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

This type of cancer is rare. Only about 2,500 cases are seen in the US each year. [http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/hypopharyngeal-cancer-treatment-health-professional-information-nci-pdq-general-information WebMd. Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment] ] Because of this, Hypopharyngeal Cancer is difficult to catch in its earliest stages and has one of the highest mortality rates of any head and neck cancer. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Symptoms

Symptoms of Hypopharyngeal Cancer include:
* Swollen lymph nodes in the neck (first sign of a problem in half of all patients) [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1132.htm E Medicine. Hypopharyngeal Cancer: History.] ]
* Sore throat in one location that persists after treatment [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]
* Pain that radiates from the throat to the ears [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]
* Difficult or painful swallowing (often leads to malnutrition and weight loss because of a refusal to eat) [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]
* Voice changes (late stage cancer) [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

Causes of Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Factors that contribute to the development of Hypopharyngeal Cancer include:
* Smoking
* Chewing tobacco
* Heavy alcohol use
* Poor diet

Smoking, like lung cancer, can cause Hypopharyngeal Cancer because it contains carcinogens that alter the DNA or RNA in a dividing cell. These alterations may change a normal DNA sequence to an oncogene, a gene that causes cancer after exposure to a carcinogen.

Squamous cells, a type of cell that lines hollow organs like the throat, mouth, lungs, and outer layer of skin, are particularly vulnerable when exposed to cigarette smoke. [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5540 Medicine.com. Definition of Squamous Cells.] ]

Chewing tobacco can have the same effects as smoking and is also linked to Hypopharyngeal Cancer. The chewing tobacco is placed into the mouth, leaving it exposed to enzymes, like amylase, which partly digests the carcinogenic material. Saliva is swallowed, along with the cancer-promoting material, which passes through the hypopharynx on its way to the esophagus.

Heavy alcohol use is linked to Hypopharyngeal Cancer as well. Alcohol damages the lining of the hypopharynx, increasing the amount of chemicals that are allowed to seep into the underlying membranes. Heavy alcohol use is also associated with nutritional deficiencies. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

A disease called Plummer-Vinson syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes a long-term iron deficiency, may also lead to Hypopharyngeal Cancer. Other factors like a deficiency in certain vitamins also appear to contribute to this type of cancer. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

Stages and Survival Rates

Staging cancer is a way of marking the cancer’s progression and is measured on a 0 to 4 (IV) scale. To determine each stage, smaller categories must be defined first: T. N. M. (tumor, lymph nodes, and metastasis). These were developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Early Stage

Stage 0

This implies that a tumor was found in the epithelium, the layer of tissue closest to the top, but not in the connective tissue. A patient would not have swollen lymph nodes and the cancer has not metastasized to other tissues or organs. This is almost never diagnosed in the case of Hypopharyngeal Cancer. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Stage I (1)

T1: the tumor is less than 2 cm across and is limited to one area in the hypopharynx. There is still no lymph node involvement and no metastasis. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Stage I Hypopharyngeal Cancer has a five-year survival rate of 41%, but this type of cancer is rarely caught in Stage I because the first signs and symptoms are often unnoticed or patients remain asymptomatic. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Stage II (2)

T2: the tumor has grown to affect more than one area of the hypopharynx and is between 2 and 4 centimeters with no lymph node involvement and no metastasis. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Late Stage

Stage III (3)

T1 or T2 or T3: the tumor’s growth is between less than 2 cm and more than 4cm and may be affecting the vocal cords.AND N1: cancer has spread to 1 lymph node (same side of the neck as tumor), which has swollen to 3 cm or less.OR T3: the tumor is more than 4cm and is affecting the vocal cords.BUT there is no lymph node involvement. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Note: The distinction between the two is made by the oncologist.

Stage II and III have a five-year survival rate of 36%. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Stage IV (4)

The final stage has three subsets depending on the severity of the cancer.

"Stage IVA"

T1 or T2 or T3: the tumor is between less than 2 cm or more than 4cm.

AND N2: cancer has spread to 1 or more lymph nodes, less than 6 cm, on 1 or both sides of the neck.

OR

T4: the tumor is affecting different areas outside of the hypopharynx, starting with the throat and moving towards the spine and chest cavity.

AND N1 or N2: cancer is affecting 1 or more lymph nodes that are between less than 3 and less than 6 cm on one or both sides of the throat.

"Stage IVB"

T4: Tumor is affecting areas outside of the hypopharynx.

N1 or N2 or N3: Lymph nodes are between less than 3 or up to 6 cm on one or both sides of the neck.

"Stage IVC" ("End Stage")

The cancer could be anything from T1 to T4, N1 to N4, but the major difference is the fact that the cancer has metastasized (M1) to other organs away from the hypopharynx.

Stage IV Hypopharyneal Cancer only has a 10% five-year survival. [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_Laryngeal_and_Hypopharyngeal_cancer_staged_23.asp?sitearea American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer How Are Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers Staged?] ]

Most cases of Hypopharyneal Cancer are found in the End Stage because the cancer is in close proximity to several large lymphatic vessels easily spreading to other regions of the body. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/HealthProfessional National Cancer Institute. Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ)] ]

Tests to Diagnose Hypopharyngeal Cancer

There are several ways to diagnose Hypopharyngeal Cancer.

*Physical Examination:The doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes and may look down the patient’s throat with a long handled mirror. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

*Endoscopy, Esophagoscopy, or Bronchoscopy: Inserted into the nose or mouth of the patient, this a thin, lighted tube that allows the doctor to see farther down the throat, into the esophagus or into the trachea. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

*Biopsy:This is a small tissue sample that can be acquired during an endosopy, esophagoscopy, or bronchoscopy. The tissue is analyzed for the presences of cancer cells. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

* CT scan or MRI:These tests will give doctors a detailed picture of any abnormalities in the body. For a CT scan, the patient often swallows a dye that coats the throat and provides a better image. An MRI is a better tool if the patient is pregnant because the test uses no radiation. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/patient/ National Cancer Institute. General Information About Hypopharyngeal Cancer] ]

Treatments

Treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer depends on the prognosis (chance of recovery), age, stage, and general health of the patient. Because hypopharyngeal cancer is often advanced at the time of diagnosis, treatment also depends on the overall goal. The goal may simply be to keep the patient talking, eating, and breathing normally. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/HealthProfessional National Cancer Institute. Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ)] ]

Treatment usually begins with surgery and then a course of radiation for cancer that has progressed passed Stage I. For cancer that is advanced, which is typical of hypopharyngeal cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be used. This is performed by administering chemotherapy before surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation and surgery has yielded the best results in patients with Stage III and Stage IV cancers. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/hypopharyngeal/HealthProfessional National Cancer Institute. Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ)] ]

References