2006 Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 364-367
Carcinomas of the mesopharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx with early-stage primary tumor and with cervical lymph node metastasis, were treated by neck dissection for cervical metastasis and definitive irradiation of the primary tumor. In this study, the primary sites of the 16 cases were the mesopharynx (10), the hypopharynx (3), and the larynx (3). Twelve cases of early T stages (T1 or T2) and 15 cases of advanced N stages (N2 or N3) were chosen for this treatment concept. Neck lesions were controlled in all cases and all the primary tumors showed complete response at the end of the initial treatment. One case of mesopharyngeal cancer died due to recurrence of the primary tumor and one case of hypopharyngeal cancer died due to complicated lung cancer.
The treatment modality for cases of early primary cancer and advanced cervical lymph node metastasis requires well-balanced strategies for both lesions. In these cases, optimal prognosis was obtained because of careful patient selection. The treatment strategy described in this paper should be considered for cases of early T tumors and advanced N tumors.
