Stage I Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Stage II Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Stage III Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Stage IV Hypopharyngeal Cancer

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

Treatment of stage I hypopharyngeal cancer may include the following:

• Laryngopharyngectomy and neck dissection with or without high- dose radiation therapy to the lymph nodes of the neck.
• Partial laryngopharyngectomy with or without high-dose radiation therapy to the lymph nodes on both sides of the neck.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage I hypopharyngeal cancer ¹.

Treatment of stage II hypopharyngeal cancer may include the following:

• Laryngopharyngectomy and neck dissection. High- dose radiation therapy to the lymph nodes of the neck may be given before or after surgery.
• Partial laryngopharyngectomy. High-dose radiation therapy to the lymph nodes of the neck may be given before or after surgery.
• Chemotherapy given during or after radiation therapy or after surgery.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy or surgery.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage II hypopharyngeal cancer ².

Treatment of stage III hypopharyngeal cancer may include the following:

• Radiation therapy before or after surgery.
• Chemotherapy given during or after radiation therapy or after surgery.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy followed by surgery and/or radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy.

Treatment and follow-up of stage III hypopharyngeal cancer is complex and is ideally overseen by a team of specialists with experience and expertise in treating this type of cancer. If all or part of the hypopharynx is removed, the patient may need plastic surgery and other special help with breathing, eating, and talking.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage III hypopharyngeal cancer ³.

Treatment of stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer that can be treated with surgery may include the following:

• Radiation therapy before or after surgery.
• A clinical trial of chemotherapy followed by surgery and/or radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy.

Surgical treatment and follow-up of stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer is complex and is ideally overseen by a team of specialists with experience and expertise in treating this type of cancer. If all or part of the hypopharynx is removed, the patient may need plastic surgery and other special help with breathing, eating, and talking.

Treatment of stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer that cannot be treated with surgery may include the following:

• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy with chemotherapy.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer ⁴.

Glossary Terms

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called a clinical study.

The amount of medicine taken, or radiation given, at one time.

Monitoring a person's health over time after treatment. This includes keeping track of the health of people who participate in a clinical study or clinical trial for a period of time, both during the study and after the study ends.

The bottom part of the throat. Cancer of the hypopharynx is also known as hypopharyngeal cancer.

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called lymph gland.

Surgery to remove lymph nodes and other tissues in the neck.

An operation that restores or improves the appearance of body structures.

The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy and irradiation.

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

The tumor is found only in one area of the hypopharynx and is 2 centimeters or smaller.

The tumor is either (1) larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and has not spread to the larynx (voice box); or (2) found in more than one area of the hypopharynx or in nearby tissues.

In stage III hypopharyngeal cancer the tumor is (1) found only in one area of the hypopharynx and is 2 centimeters or smaller; cancer has also spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller; or (2) in more than one area of the hypopharynx, is in nearby tissues, or is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and is not in the larynx; cancer has also spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller; or (3) larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to the larynx; cancer may have spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller.

The tumor has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes of the neck and may have spread to other parts of the body.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.