ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL PHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA: THE ROLE OF GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPISTS

Abstract

Recent developments in endoscopic diagnosis have enabled gastrointestinal endoscopists and otolaryngologists to detect pharyngeal carcinoma at an early stage. Because patients with superficial pharyngeal carcinoma have backgrounds similar to those of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, focusing on such high-risk group is important for efficient surveillance. Many patients with superficial pharyngeal carcinoma can be treated with endoscopic resection with minimal invasiveness; however, adverse events such as laryngeal edema may occur. At present, there are no definite criteria for the indication of endoscopic treatment; however, the risk of metastasis in patients with superficial pharyngeal carcinoma is being studied owing to clinical data of patients with lymph node metastasis after treatment. Pharyngeal carcinoma can often be completely cured by neck dissection after neck lymph node metastasis is found.