Abstract

Hypopharyngeal cancer is frequently associated with neck lymphnodal metastasis, which largely affects the prognosis. We investigated the prognosis and the recurrence in the neck region in comparison between bilateral neck dissection and lateral neck dissection in hypopharyngeal cancer, and also studied what types of neck dissection should be indicated according to location of primary lesion and stage of lesion. In the Department of Head andNeck Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, 165 cases of primary hypopharyngeal cancer were treated in the period from 1978 to 1989. Of these 165 cases, 72 cases were treated by bilateralneck dissection and 42 cases by lateral neck dissection. In conclusion, 1) it was possible to control, by lateral neck dissection, lateral piriform sinus type of lesion of nodal stages N0, N1 and N2a which was not invading the opposite side, 2) for the other types, bilateral neck dissection was necessary, and 3) in cases with recurrence after radiotherapy, bilateral neck dissection was essntially recommended. 4) Paratracheal node dissection may be indispensable for every type of hypopharyngeal cancer.