BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The prolongation of life expectancy results in an increasing number of aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who have poor surgical tolerance because of degenerative organ functions. This study was to explore the surgical methods and preservation of laryngeal function for aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical data of 84 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who aged above 60 years, treated from 1996 to 2001, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 84 cases, 68 were originated from pyriform sinus, 5 from postcricoid area, 11 from posterior pharyngeal wall; 57 patients received partial laryngectomy with laryngeal function preservation, 27 received total laryngectomy. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to evaluate the survival rates. RESULTS: The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 60.7% and 53.3%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of laryngeal function preservation group was not significantly different from those of total laryngectomy group (63.2% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.37; 56.7% vs. 46.3%, P > 0.05). In laryngeal function preservation group, 39 (68.4%) had all functions preserved (voice, respiration, and deglutition), and 18 (31.6%) partially preserved (voice and deglutition). CONCLUSION: It is safe and effective to treat aged hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients with surgery, and is possible to preserve laryngeal function in T3-4 stage aged patients who have no involvement of contralateral larynx, no invasion to esophagus, and no deglutition difficulty.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The prolongation of life expectancy results in an increasing number of aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who have poor surgical tolerance because of degenerative organ functions. This study was to explore the surgical methods and preservation of laryngeal function for aged patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical data of 84 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma who aged above 60 years, treated from 1996 to 2001, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 84 cases, 68 were originated from pyriform sinus, 5 from postcricoid area, 11 from posterior pharyngeal wall; 57 patients received partial laryngectomy with laryngeal function preservation, 27 received total laryngectomy. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to evaluate the survival rates. RESULTS: The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 60.7% and 53.3%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of laryngeal function preservation group was not significantly different from those of total laryngectomy group (63.2% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.37; 56.7% vs. 46.3%, P > 0.05). In laryngeal function preservation group, 39 (68.4%) had all functions preserved (voice, respiration, and deglutition), and 18 (31.6%) partially preserved (voice and deglutition). CONCLUSION: It is safe and effective to treat aged hypopharyngeal carcinomapatients with surgery, and is possible to preserve laryngeal function in T3-4 stage aged patients who have no involvement of contralateral larynx, no invasion to esophagus, and no deglutition difficulty.