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Superficial extending carcinoma of the hypopharynx: Report of 26 cases of an underestimated carcinoma
Author(s) -
Carbone Antonino,
Micheau Christian,
Bosq Jacques,
Caillaud JeanMichel,
Vandenbrouck Claude
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198312000-00012
Subject(s) - pharynx , medicine , pyriform sinus , carcinoma , pathology , lymph node , lymph , basal cell , lymphatic system , cancer , anatomy , radiology , fistula
Advanced ulcerating and infiltrating tumors are commonly found in the hypopharynx, whereas early well‐defined lesions are rarely diagnosed. The pathologic reports of 242 uniformly studied surgical specimens after total pharyngolaryngectomy for cancer of the hypo‐pharynx were reviewed. The histologic analysis of 26 cancers (10.7%), which were recorded as having an entire or predominant superficial type of spreading, demonstrated that also in the hypopharynx a “superficial extending carcinoma” (SEC) may occur. SEC of hypopharynx was pathologically defined as a poorly or moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, generally located in the pyriform sinus, which spreads superficially. It was limited to the mucosa (2.9%), but more frequently early infiltrated the underlying muscle or gland structures (6.2%), regardless of the presence of lymph node metastases or lymph vessels invasion. Although the concept that SEC of the hypopharynx may be an expression of a generalized disease of the mucosa must be carefully considered in surgical management, it appeared that this carcinoma in its “pure” intramucosal form may be associated with a good prognosis and a long survival.