Imaging of squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx

How Histopathologic Tumor Extent and Patterns of Recurrence Data Inform the Development of Radiation Therapy Treatment Volumes in Solid Malignancies

The ability to deliver highly conformal radiation therapy using intensity-modulated radiation therapy and particle therapy provides for new opportunities to improve patient outcomes by reducing treatment-related morbidities following radiation therapy. By reducing the volume of normal tissue exposed to radiation therapy (RT), while also allowing for the opportunity to escalate the dose of RT delivered to the tumor, use of conformal RT delivery should also provide the possibility of expanding the therapeutic index of radiotherapy. However, the ability to safely and confidently deliver conformal RT is largely dependent on our ability to clearly define the clinical target volume for radiation therapy, which requires an in-depth knowledge of histopathologic extent of different tumor types, as well as patterns of recurrence data. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the histopathologic and radiographic data that provide the basis for evidence-based guidelines for clinical tumor volume delineation.

[Imaging diagnostics of the pharynx and larynx]

The pharynx and larynx represent very sophisticated regions and may be involved in a diverse range of pathologic conditions. Evaluation of the head and neck has developed significantly with the establishment of CT and MRI as they provide true insights into the endoscopically blind areas as well as depth of tumor infiltration, its submucosal growth and contralateral involvement, cartilage invasion, bone marrow invasion, and nonpalpable adenopathy. Inflammations in the head and neck region are only exceptionally imaged with CT or MRI; indications are the diagnosis of retrotonsillar and parapharyngeal abscesses and ensuing complications. The different imaging modalities of malignant pharyngeal and laryngeal tumors and their differential diagnosis are presented in this paper.

A schwannoma mimicing hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Hypopharyngeal schwannoma is quite rare, with only nine cases presented in the literature to our knowledge. The presentation itself requires a distinction from malignant hypopharyngeal disease, which is usually the initial diagnosis. A transcervical approach and laryngomicrosurgery are two possible operating methods for the treatment of hypopharyngeal schwannoma. The selection of the surgical method depends on the size of the tumor. For this case, we preferred the transcervical approach without tracheotomy. In contrast to previous case reports, we were unable to trace the original nerve.

acp Best Practice No 169. Evidence based pathology: squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx

This best practice article reviews the published evidence on the pathology and patterns of spread of carcinomas of the hypopharynx, and the relevance of pathological features to prognosis. Medline (1966-2001) was searched using a combination of head and neck neoplasms and prognosis, focusing on hypopharynx and pathology. Other relevant publications were identified from the bibliographies of these papers, and from those obtained opportunistically. There is relatively little pathological literature devoted specifically to squamous carcinomas of the hypopharynx and most information comes from large series of patients with head and neck cancers at a range at sites. Lack of consistency in reporting and shifts in terminology make comparisons between series difficult. The most important features determining prognosis are size and extent of local spread of the primary carcinoma and extent of involvement of regional lymph nodes. There is evidence to support the use of the minimum dataset criteria for head and neck carcinomas at this site. Within the hypopharynx, subsite related differences in aetiology and biology may become important.

Tumor staging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas with functional spiral CT: comparison with nonfunctional CT, histopathology, and microlaryngoscopy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to compare nonfunctional and functional spiral CT in the tumor (T) staging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors and to correlate the CT results with microlaryngoscopy and postoperative pathology.

METHOD

Twenty-six patients (3 women, 23 men) with clinically suspected laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors underwent both nonfunctional CT during quiet breathing and functional spiral CT during either a modified Valsalva (n = 19) or E phonation (n = 7) maneuver. CT slice thickness was 3 mm, table feed was 3 mm, and 40-80 ml of intravenous contrast material was administered at a flow of 1.5 ml/s. T stages as determined by nonfunctional and functional CT were compared and correlated with postoperative pathology or microlaryngoscopy.

RESULTS

The T stages determined with functional CT were better correlated with postoperative pathology (rS = 0.88, p = 0.001) and microlaryngoscopy (rS = 0.77, p = 0.008) than T stages determined with nonfunctional CT (rS = 0.80, p = 0.001; and rS = 0.51, p = 0.13, respectively). Twelve of 26 patients (46%) had a lower T stage on functional than on nonfunctional CT. In 14 of 26 patients (54%), the T stage was identical with both modalities. In no patients was the T stage increased by functional CT.

CONCLUSION

Functional CT appears to be more accurate than nonfunctional CT in the T staging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Functional CT also results in lower T stages than nonfunctional CT in a substantial number of patients.