A Case with Hypopharyngeal Perforation after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

We present a rare case of a hypopharyngeal perforation after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). A 69-year-old man with schizophrenia received CCRT with Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-FU following a diagnosis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (T3N2bM0). Complete remission was achieved with CCRT, but four months later, he forcibly swallowed a meat bun (Chinese manju) which led to the perforation of his hypopharynx. He was treated with conservative therapy (intravenous antibiotic, fasting and tube feeding). The swelling gradually subsided and the patient was able to consume food naturally after the 13th day of hospitalization. We considered the composite factors had contributed to the pathogenesis of this case: anatomical weakness, pathological weakness after chemoradiotherapy, physical pressure to the hypopharynx due to the metastasis of the cervical spine, and the powerful deglutition pressure caused by his forcible swallowing of the bun. The possibility that such a serious complication might be caused by CCRT was suggested, and we believe that clinicians should have recognition and understanding of how to treat it because of its severe morbidity.