Definitive Radiotherapy versus Postoperative Radiotherapy of Patients with Oro- and Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Impact of Prognostic Factors

Prognostic Factors and Long-Term Outcome Prediction in Patients with Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with (Chemo)radiotherapy: Development of a Prognostic Model

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of curative (chemo)radiotherapy in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma and to identify prognostic factors influencing treatment outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 173 consecutive patients, treated with definitive or postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy from 2002 to 2020 [median age 60 years; current/former smokers 95%; UICC stage III/IV 96%]. Radiation therapy was preceded by a radical resection of a primary tumor in 32% of patients. One hundred patients received chemotherapy. Results: The median total dose of radiotherapy achieved was 70 Gy. The five- and ten-year locoregional controls were 63%, and the five- and ten-year distant controls were 77% and 76%, respectively. The five- and ten-year overall survival rates were 24% and 9%, respectively. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the limited effectiveness of curative (chemo)radiotherapy in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma with long-term locoregional and distant control of half of the treated patients. The multivariate analysis indicated that initial surgery, chemotherapy, comorbidity score (as assessed by ACE-27), pretreatment tracheostomy, hemoglobin level and initial response to treatment were the strongest prognostic factors in predicting survival. Using these factors, corresponding predictive models were constructed.

Locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: single-institution outcomes in a cohort of patients curatively treated either with or without larynx preservation

Objective

The present study was aimed at describing a single-institution experience in the curative treatment of patients diagnosed with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

Data concerning all patients treated for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between January 2006 and June 2012 were reviewed.

Results

A total of 144 patients were included in the present study. The median follow-up period was 36.6 months. Median survival was 26 months, and 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were, 51% and 30.5%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 18 months and 2-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 42.8% and 28.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The outcomes in the present series are in line with the literature.