ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Hypopharyngeal tumors have one of the poorest survival rates of any head and neck site and are associated with significant morbidity. Early symptoms are often vague, and most patients are diagnosed at a late stage when the tumor is locally advanced and nodal metastases are frequently present. Progressive dysphagia over several months prior to diagnosis may reduce the patient to a poor physical state with a correspondingly increased risk of morbidity and mortality following treatment. The larynx is frequently involved, although in the early stages of the disease hoarseness is not a common symptom. Primary total laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy is associated with a profound alteration in quality of life. However, advances in reconstructive surgery and voice rehabilitation has allowed for more extensive surgery with reduced morbidity and better functional outcomes. Some patients will require adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy.
