Combined therapy for pyriform sinus cancer using postoperative irradiation.

A review of 33 patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma, seen between September 1972 and September 1978, is done. Preoperative irradiation is done in seven patients, resulting in a 28% survival rate. Postoperative irradiation in 14 patients yields a 64% survival rate. The average follow-up is 39.2 months. Survival is unaffected by the factor of geographic center of the tumor origin. Irradiation alone is done, mainly in patients who are inoperable or refuse surgery. There is a poor survival rate.