Oncological and functional outcomes of partial or total laryngopharyngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer with thyroid or cricoid cartilage invasion.

Background: Patients with cartilage invasion in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) would benefit from partial laryngopharyngectomy (PLP).

Aims/objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment outcomes of PLP for HPSCC with cartilage invasion, with a focus on the oncological safety and the function preservation.

Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective review of 28 patients with HPSCC with thyroid or cricoid cartilage invasion who had undergone upfront surgery and were followed for more than one year between 1993 and 2019.

Results: Twelve patients treated with PLP (42.9%) and 16 patients treated with total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP) for cartilage invasion in HPSCC were identified. There was no significant difference in recurrence between the PLP group (7/12, 58.3%) and the TLP group (8/16, 50.0%) (p = .718). PLP was not associated with decreased five-year disease free survival (p = .662) or disease specific survival (p = .883) rates compared to TLP. Nine patients receiving PLP could be decannulated and retained intelligible speech (9/12, 75%). Gastrostomy tubes were placed in the PLP group (5/12, 42.9%) and TLP group (1/16, 6.2%) (p = .057).

Conclusions and significance: PLP appears to be a feasible option for the treatment of thyroid or cricoid cartilage invasion in HPSCC.