Abstract
It is a well known fact that hypopharyngeal cancer is often accompanied by esophageal cancer. We analyzed the treatment in 36 of 203 hypopharyngeal cancer patients who had synchronous esophageal cancer (SEC) at the Kurume University Hospital between 1989 and 2001. The three-year cumulative survival rates determined by the Kaplan-Meier method in hypopharyngeal cancers, with or without esophageal cancer, were 47% and 56%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Preservation therapy of the larynx and esophagus was done in 2 cases with concomitant early cancers ; however, such preservation therapy was not possible in 12 cases with concomitant advanced cancers.
Of 8 patients with early hypopharyngeal and advanced esophageal cancer, preservation therapy of the larynx was done in 7. In 4 patients with high risks, preservation of the larynx was possible using the method of secondary anastomosis of the stomach. Of 14 patients with advanced hypopharyngeal and early esophageal cancer, preservation of the esophagus was done in 11. In conclusion, preservation of the larynx in early hypopharyngeal cancer as well as preservation of the esophagus in early esophageal cancer is required for a better quality of life.
