Survival and complications with a surgical approach in advanced hypopharyngeal cancer
Maria Paz Galeano Machuca, Deborah Ng, Shyuang‐Der Terng, Wen‐Ching Wu, Chih‐Tao Cheng
Abstract
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.