Survival and complications with a surgical approach in advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

The treatment paradigm for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer has shifted from surgical approaches to organ preservation. However, recent studies indicated that surgical approaches may be associated with better survival rates. This study aimed to conduct a head-to-head comparison of survival outcomes and complications with surgical versus nonsurgical approaches using a nationwide database.

METHODS

Using a nationwide data set, we gathered 2196 propensity score-matched patients with stage III/IVa hypopharyngeal cancer. We compared survival rates and complications among patients with surgical and nonsurgical cancer treatment.

RESULTS

Patients with stage III and IVa hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent initial surgery had significantly better 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates compared to their nonsurgical counterparts. There were no significant differences in long-term complications with regard to swallowing.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that patients who underwent initial surgery for advanced hypopharyngeal cancers had better survival rates and equivalent long-term function.