Hypopharyngeal Cancer and Cervical Esophageal Cancer

The hypopharynx is that part of the throat located behind the voice box (larynx). There are about 2500 new cases reported annually in the United States, making this one of the rarest cancers in the head and neck. Most are squamous cell carcinomas. Unfortunately, because these tumors tend to spread to the lymph nodes easily, many patients present to their physicians in an advanced stage of disease.

Cancers in the hypopharynx can spread and involve the highest portion of the esophagus (the cervical esophagus). The same factors that cause cancer of the larynx–smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection–are thought to play a similar role in the development of cancer of the hypopharynx. Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also be a factor in some patients.

Cancers of the hypopharynx and cervical eosphagus can be treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy depending on the stage and type of cancer. Small tumors may be amenable to surgical removal. Because most tumors present in a more advanced stage and involve the larynx, total laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy and in some cases esophagectomy is sometimes required to treat the disease. For many patients, a combination of radiation therapy with chemotherapy can be used to eradicate the cancer while preserving the pharynx and larynx, and avoiding laryngectomy.

The head and neck cancer specialists at the Stanford Cancer Center have extensive experience treating hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer, and will provide you with the multidisciplinary, quality, compassionate care that you deserve. Your doctors and nurses will take care to minimize and manage treatment side effects like inflammation, trouble swallowing, and hoarseness.

In addition, the multidisciplinary expertise of the Stanford Voice Center, the Stanford Center for Human Communication, and Stanford speech and swallowing therapists are integrated into treatment to ensure maximum success in preserving your swallowing, speaking, and breathing ability.