Sequelae and Complications of Treatment for Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Minimising the Risks

Treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer depends on the extent and location of the tumour, patient-specific or by factors (age, performance status, co-morbidity) and the presence of psychosocial support. Options available for the treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer consist of surgery and non-surgery - radiotherapy, chemoradiation, bioradiation, or a combination of these modalities. To maintain normal functioning as much as possible, functional organ preservation is widely recommended and generally utilizes radiotherapy and/or chemoradiation. Although functional organ-sparing approaches can permit larynx preservation in patients with locoregionally advanced cancer of the hypopharynx, they do not provide a survival advantage over total laryngectomy. All available treatment modalities for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer have associated short- and long-term toxicities leading to side effects and complications.