Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment | I D Cancer Center Lucknow
Overview
Hypopharyngeal Cancer arises in the lower part of the throat (hypopharynx), the region surrounding the voice box. It is a type of head and neck cancer, often presenting at a later stage because early symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for common throat infections.
Hypopharyngeal cancers require specialized, high-precision treatment involving endoscopic evaluation, imaging, biopsy, chemoradiation, surgery, and advanced radiotherapy techniques like IMRT/IGRT/VMAT.
At I D Cancer Center, we provide comprehensive, personalized care with modern technology, ensuring maximum tumor control while preserving swallowing and speech functions.
Hypopharyngeal Cancer arises in the lower part of the throat (hypopharynx), the region surrounding the voice box. It is a type of head and neck cancer, often presenting at a later stage because early symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for common throat infections.
Hypopharyngeal cancers require specialized, high-precision treatment involving endoscopic evaluation, imaging, biopsy, chemoradiation, surgery, and advanced radiotherapy techniques like IMRT/IGRT/VMAT.
At I D Cancer Center, we provide comprehensive, personalized care with modern technology, ensuring maximum tumor control while preserving swallowing and speech functions.
What Is the Hypopharynx?
The hypopharynx is the lower portion of the throat behind the voice box. It helps in swallowing, breathing, and speech. Cancer in this region can easily spread to lymph nodes and nearby structures, making early detection critical.
The hypopharynx is the lower portion of the throat behind the voice box. It helps in swallowing, breathing, and speech. Cancer in this region can easily spread to lymph nodes and nearby structures, making early detection critical.
Causes & Risk Factors
Major Risk Factors
Tobacco use (smoking or chewing)
Heavy alcohol consumption
HPV infection (in selected cases)
Poor oral hygiene
Nutritional deficiency
Male gender
Age above 50 years
Exposure to industrial chemicals
Family history of head & neck cancers
Tobacco use (smoking or chewing)
Heavy alcohol consumption
HPV infection (in selected cases)
Poor oral hygiene
Nutritional deficiency
Male gender
Age above 50 years
Exposure to industrial chemicals
Family history of head & neck cancers
Signs & Symptoms
Hypopharyngeal cancer may be silent early but can progress quickly.
Hypopharyngeal cancer may be silent early but can progress quickly.
Common Symptoms
Persistent sore throat
Difficulty or pain while swallowing (dysphagia)
Change in voice or hoarseness
Feeling of a lump in the throat
Unexplained weight loss
Ear pain on one side (referred pain)
Coughing up blood
Breathing difficulty
Swelling or lump in the neck (lymph nodes)
If symptoms last longer than 2–3 weeks, evaluation is necessary.
Persistent sore throat
Difficulty or pain while swallowing (dysphagia)
Change in voice or hoarseness
Feeling of a lump in the throat
Unexplained weight loss
Ear pain on one side (referred pain)
Coughing up blood
Breathing difficulty
Swelling or lump in the neck (lymph nodes)
If symptoms last longer than 2–3 weeks, evaluation is necessary.
Diagnosis at I D Cancer Center
We follow standard NCCN/ESMO guidelines for thorough evaluation.
We follow standard NCCN/ESMO guidelines for thorough evaluation.
1. Clinical Examination
Detailed ENT check-up
Neck examination for lymph nodes
Detailed ENT check-up
Neck examination for lymph nodes
2. Endoscopic Evaluation
Flexible laryngoscopy
Direct laryngoscopy (DL scopy) for detailed visualization
Flexible laryngoscopy
Direct laryngoscopy (DL scopy) for detailed visualization
3. Biopsy
Endoscopic biopsy from the lesion
Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) for neck nodes
Endoscopic biopsy from the lesion
Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) for neck nodes
4. Imaging
Contrast-enhanced CT scan
MRI Neck for soft tissue detail
PET-CT for metastasis and staging
Chest X-ray/CT chest for lung involvement
Contrast-enhanced CT scan
MRI Neck for soft tissue detail
PET-CT for metastasis and staging
Chest X-ray/CT chest for lung involvement
5. Additional Tests
Blood investigations
Nutritional and swallowing assessment
Blood investigations
Nutritional and swallowing assessment
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the stage, location, and overall health.
Hypopharyngeal cancer often requires combined-modality treatment.
Treatment depends on the stage, location, and overall health.
Hypopharyngeal cancer often requires combined-modality treatment.
⭐ 1. Chemoradiation (Standard of Care for Many Cases)
Simultaneous chemotherapy + radiation offers:
Organ preservation (voice box, swallowing)
Excellent tumor control
Common chemotherapy agents:
Cisplatin
Carboplatin
Targeted therapy (Cetuximab)
Simultaneous chemotherapy + radiation offers:
Organ preservation (voice box, swallowing)
Excellent tumor control
Common chemotherapy agents:
Cisplatin
Carboplatin
Targeted therapy (Cetuximab)
⭐ 2. Radiation Therapy
At I D Cancer Center, we deliver precision radiotherapy using:
IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy)
IGRT (Image-Guided Radiotherapy)
VMAT (Volumetric Arc Therapy)
At I D Cancer Center, we deliver precision radiotherapy using:
IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy)
IGRT (Image-Guided Radiotherapy)
VMAT (Volumetric Arc Therapy)
Benefits:
Protects nearby organs (spinal cord, salivary glands, esophagus)
Reduces side effects (dry mouth, swallowing issues)
Ensures accurate dose to tumor and lymph nodes
Protects nearby organs (spinal cord, salivary glands, esophagus)
Reduces side effects (dry mouth, swallowing issues)
Ensures accurate dose to tumor and lymph nodes
⭐ 3. Surgery
Recommended for selected or persistent cases:
Laser surgery (early lesions)
Partial pharyngectomy
Total laryngopharyngectomy (advanced cases)
Neck dissection (for lymph node involvement)
Reconstructive surgery may be needed to restore function.
Recommended for selected or persistent cases:
Laser surgery (early lesions)
Partial pharyngectomy
Total laryngopharyngectomy (advanced cases)
Neck dissection (for lymph node involvement)
Reconstructive surgery may be needed to restore function.
⭐ 4. Targeted Therapy
For selected patients:
- CetuximabWorks by blocking cancer cell growth pathways.
⭐ 5. Immunotherapy
Useful for recurrent or metastatic cancer:
Pembrolizumab
Nivolumab
Helps the immune system attack cancer cells.
Useful for recurrent or metastatic cancer:
Pembrolizumab
Nivolumab
Helps the immune system attack cancer cells.
⭐ 6. Supportive & Rehabilitative Care
We prioritize quality of life through:
Nutrition counselling
Pain management
Swallowing therapy
Speech therapy
Psychosocial support
We prioritize quality of life through:
Nutrition counselling
Pain management
Swallowing therapy
Speech therapy
Psychosocial support
Prognosis & Follow-Up
With modern treatment, many patients achieve good control of the disease. Regular follow-up includes:
Endoscopy
CT/MRI scans
Swallowing evaluation
Neck examination
Lifestyle and dietary support
With modern treatment, many patients achieve good control of the disease. Regular follow-up includes:
Endoscopy
CT/MRI scans
Swallowing evaluation
Neck examination
Lifestyle and dietary support
Preventive Measures
Stop tobacco and alcohol use
Maintain good oral hygiene
HPV vaccination (in selected groups)
Early evaluation for persistent throat symptoms
Stop tobacco and alcohol use
Maintain good oral hygiene
HPV vaccination (in selected groups)
Early evaluation for persistent throat symptoms
