Stage I Hypopharyngeal Cancer

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.

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.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

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.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

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.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Follow-up to check for recurrence should include careful head and neck exams once a month in the first year after treatment ends, every 2 months in the second year, every 3 months in the third year, and every 6 months thereafter.