Predicting Factors for Oncological and Functional Outcome in Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Objectives/Hypothesis Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare but aggressive malignancy, with low survival rates and high incidence of tumor and treatment-related morbidity. This study aims to analyze the long-term oncologic and functional outcomes of a large cohort of patients and to determine prognostic factors. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods The records of all patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal SCC and treated with curative intent at our tertiary referral center were reviewed. Patient and initial disease characteristics, features, and complications of primary treatment, recurrence patterns, and corresponding treatments and the oncologic and functional long-term outcome were determined. Results For a total of 179 patients, primary radiotherapy (RT) was the predominant treatment modality (78%), whereas 22% underwent primary surgery. The median, 2-year, and 5-year overall survival (OS) for the study cohort were 47 months, 64% and 43%. The median survival after first and second relapse was 7 and 6 months, respectively. The 2 and 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was 52% and 36%. The median RFS after first relapse and salvage treatment was 9 months. A nodal status of >= cN2 (HR = 1.89, CI:1.21-3.05, P < .005) and any other primary tumor localization than pyriform sinus (HR = 1.60, CI: 1.04-2.42, P < .05) were identified as independent risk factors for shorter OS and RFS. Regarding functional outcome, the 2- and 5-year laryngectomy-free-survival was 55% and 37%, respectively. Conclusions In this large cohort with long-term follow-up, any other primary tumor localization than pyriform sinus and a nodal status of >= cN2 were identified as risk factors for reduced OS and RFS. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2020

Automated summary

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy with low survival rates. In this study of 179 patients, primary radiotherapy was the predominant treatment modality, and factors such as nodal status and tumor localization were identified as independent risk factors for reduced overall survival and relapse-free survival. The study also found that functional outcomes, such as laryngectomy-free survival, were influenced by these factors.