Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice

Hypopharyngeal cancer Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hypopharyngeal Cancer from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiogram or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice
CDC on Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice
Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice in the news
Blogs on Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hypopharyngeal cancer
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hypopharyngeal cancer diagnostic study of choice

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Gertrude Djouka, M.D.[2]

Overview

The diagnostic study of choice for hypopharyngeal cancer is CT scan with contrast of head and neck. The definitive diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer is biopsy of the tumor.

Diagnostic Study of Choice

• Diagnostic study of choice for hypopharyngeal cancer is CT scan with contrast of head and neck.
• Definitive diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer is biopsy through endoscopy.

Staging

According to the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system, there are 5 stages of hypopharyngeal cancer based on the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis.

• The following stages are used for hypopharyngeal cancer:

AJCC Stage	Stage Grouping	Stage description
0	Tis N0 M0	Tumor is only in the top layer of cells lining the inside of the hypopharynx and has not grown any deeper (Tis). Cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant parts of the body (M0).
I	T1 N0 M0	The tumor has grown deeper, but it is only in one part of the hypopharynx, and it is no more than 2 centimeters (cm) across (T1). The cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant parts of the body (M0).
II	T2 N0 M0	The tumor has grown into more than one part of the hypopharynx, OR it has grown into a nearby area, OR it is larger than 2 but no larger than 4 cm across and has not affected the vocal cords (T2). Cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant parts of the body (M0).
III	T3 N0 M0 OR T1 to T3 N1 M0	The tumor is larger than 4 cm across, OR the tumor is affecting the movement of the vocal cords, OR the tumor has grown into the esophagus (T3). Cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or to distant parts of the body (M0). OR The tumor can be any size and might or might not have grown into structures outside the hypopharynx, and it might or might not have affected a vocal cord (T1 to T3). Cancer has spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck as the tumor, which is no larger than 3 centimeters (cm) across (N1). Cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0).
IVA	T4a N0 or N1 M0 OR T1-T4a N2 M0	The tumor has grown into the thyroid or cricoid cartilage, the hyoid bone, the thyroid gland, or nearby areas of muscle or fat. This is also known as moderately advanced local disease (T4a). Cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0), or it has spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck as the tumor, which is no larger than 3 centimeters (cm) across (N1). Cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0). OR The tumor can be any size and might or might not have grown into structures outside the hypopharynx (as far as a moderately advanced disease), and it might or might not have affected a vocal cord (T1 to T4a). The cancer is N2: It has spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck as the tumor, which is larger than 3 centimeters (cm) but no larger than 6 cm across, OR It has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the tumor, none of which is larger than 6 cm across, OR It has spread to at least one lymph node on the other side of the neck, none of which is larger than 6 cm across. Cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0).
IVB	T4b Any N M0 OR Any T N3 M0	The tumor is growing into the area in front of the spine in the neck, surrounds a carotid artery, or is growing down into the space between the lungs. This is also known as very advanced local disease (T4b). Cancer might or might not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N). It has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0). OR The tumor can be any size and might or might not have grown into structures outside the hypopharynx, and it might or might not have affected a vocal cord (any T). Cancer has spread to at least one lymph node that is larger than 6 cm across, OR it has spread to a lymph node and then grown outside of the lymph node (N3). It has not spread to distant parts of the body (M0).
IVC	Any T Any N M1	The tumor can be any size and might or might not have grown into structures outside the hypopharynx, and it might or might not have affected a vocal cord (any T). Cancer might or might not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N). Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (M1).