The author reviews the clinical observations of 25 hypopharyngeal cancer cases in the past 5 years, the progresses of which are known, comparing with laryngeal cancer cases at the otolaryngological clinic of Osaka University.
His conclusions are as follows:
(1) Patients of hypopharyngeal cancer are about 10 years younger than those of laryngeal cancer,
(2) The attack rate is equal on males and females,
(3) The cancer most frequently begins in the posterior wall,
(4) The cancer spreads rapidly and infiltrates quickly not only all over the hypopharynx but the laryngeal area in the early stage,
(5) Metastasis to the lymph nodes is apt to occur and the decline of the patient's strength progresses rapidly,
(6) All of the hypopharyngeal cancer cases, if not operated, result in death within a year, but percentage of cure by surgical removal is about 50%.
In addition, he describes some points by which diagnosis may be made and the influence of excessive use of alcohol or tobacco.
