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Introduction

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a rare, aggressive pathology usually detected in advanced stages due to the absence of specific symptoms. Because of this late diagnosis, the treatment modalities are usually reduced (1). One of the most important decision-making factors involving treatment options for patients is the associated survival rate. However, there are pathologies, including hypopharyngeal cancer in which the treatment modalities (primary surgery, partial or total pharyngectomy with laryngectomy followed by radiation therapy; or non-surgical, chemoradiation therapy; initial radiation therapy followed by surgery) have similar survival probabilities and in situations like this, quality of life (QoL) becomes an essential criterion in treatment selection (2,3).

In Europe, this malignancy has an incidence rate of 1.3/100.000, with a 5-year relative survival rate of only 25% (4). Hypopharyngeal cancer is associated with a high rate of mortality (up to 30% in the first year of diagnosis) and a low rate of survival to 5 years (<40% of all patients) (1). Factors closely associated with this pathology are tobacco use and alcohol consumption (4); however, other factors, such as genetic predisposition, diet, human papilloma virus infection, Plummer-Vinson or Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome are also associated with the development of this disease (1). Furthermore, additional environmental and clinical risk factors, including asbestos (5), formaldehyde and coal dust (6), cannot be ruled out, and the clinician must take into consideration that the reverse situation, where genetic predisposition is augmented by environmental factors, is even more common and complicated (7).

Due to the lack of early symptoms in this region, up to 75% of newly diagnosed patients are in stage III and IV (8). Another important aspect is that upstaging to stage T4b is usually done during the surgery when the involvement of the prevertebral fascia is revealed (1). Some of the most common symptoms in advanced stages are presence of neck mass, airway distress, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux and sore throat or referred otalgia (1). Non-surgical treatment options include primary radiotherapy (RT), chemo-radiation (CRT) and surgical options, laser surgery (early stages) or a total laryngectomy with partial or total pharyngectomy (9).

Case report

The present case report followed the evolution of a 58-year-old male patient, with a history of smoking and alcohol consumption, that was diagnosed and treated for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx between September 2019 and March 2021 at the Carol Davila Central University Emergency Military Hospital, Bucharest. The patient was admitted to the emergency unit for airway distress, dysphonia and dysphagia and was moved to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic for investigations and treatment. Emergency tracheostomy and biopsy of the lesion were performed, along with computed tomography of the head and neck. ENT assessment revealed a hypopharyngeal tumor located in the right piriform sinus and lateral pharyngeal wall, which spread to the right vocal cord with a mass effect and reduced respiratory flow (Fig. 1). Computed tomography revealed pharyngeal wall thickening, with a reduced pharyngeal lumen and a nonhomogeneous anterior laryngeal mass of 2.2-2.4 cm, with uneven margins, between the median part of the thyroid cartilages with a lithic effect on them. The histopathology report diagnosed the mass as SCC, well differentiated and invasive.

Figure 1 Initial tomographic report. (A) Nonhomogeneous mass with lithic effect on the median part of the thyroid cartilage. (B) The mass reduced the laryngeal lumen and airflow. (C) The lithic effect is present on all the median part of the thyroid cartilage.

Patient evaluations included laboratory testing for the following: Complete blood count; coagulation profile (INR, TQ and AP); erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), glucose, urea, creatinine levels; bilirubin; serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT); serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sodium, potassium, serum amylase and C-reactive protein (CRP). Questionnaires were used to assess patient outcome, including Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) for significant ailments (10), Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) (11) for functional impairment and better understand patient requirements and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (12) with the Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), with the commission's approval for use.

Treatment options were based on parameters, such as age, comorbidities, the personal absence history of cancer, objective tumor parameters [histology, location, TNM classification Stage IV A (T4aN0M0) (13), ACE27-2/moderate], clinical and imaging aspects, and also subjective parameters, including personal choice, expected result and QoL (4). Optimal treatment strategies were discussed by a multidisciplinary team, who considered all aforementioned factors. The treatment regimen used was concurrent (C)CRT, using the volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), as radiation technique in a total dose of 70.2 Gy in 39 fractions, five fractions per week (1.8 Gy/fr) and six series of chemotherapy using cisplatin (70 mg/session). The patient did not require dose alteration for sensory neuropathy, neutropenia or grade 3 toxicity. The patient was assessed for treatment response via clinical/endoscopic examination and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging during radiation and chemotherapy at 3, 6 and 12 months following completion of treatment. Following treatment, the patient was in complete remission able to speak and breathe without the tracheal cuff.

Tracheostomy modifies the QoL through the inability to speak, difficulties swallowing and body image alterations (14). To prevent further complications, such as bleeding, accidental decannulation and occlusion, it is essential that the patient benefits from discharge training and help from a family member (15). In the present study, the patient and his wife were trained during the hospital stay for tracheostomy care and discharge education. No complaints or complications involving the tracheostomy were observed. The clinical trials that support the use of induction chemotherapy for hypopharyngeal cancer are not consistent as they have failed to exhibit a significant improvement and as a result, CCRT is used as a therapeutic option for a greater local and regional control (16,17).

Follow-up surveillance after the completion of chemoradiation was at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months, showing remission with no distant metastasis evaluated through the imaging reports (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography). The future plan for the patient is closing the tracheostomy, 2 months after cuff removal.

Hemoglobin levels varied throughout the study, from 12.7 g/dl in the initial visit, which decreased during CCRT (11.8-10.2 g/dl) and increased after treatment completion (11.2 g/dl after 8 months and 13 g/dl after 14 months). Leucocyte count decreased during CCRT; however, no significant alterations were observed before or after this interval. Platelet number was in between limits during the study, and inconclusive as an independent factor. Other variables, such as INR, TQ, AP, ESR, glucose, urea, creatinine levels, bilirubin, serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, sodium, potassium, serum amylase and C-reactive protein had variations within limit standards in all evaluations. A common side effect of radiation therapy is the sensory impairment of the mucosa, which is an important etiological mechanism in swallowing disorders and aspiration (1,18). In addition, both surgical treatment and radiation therapy can alter laryngeal innervation and functions (10) (Table I).

Table I Raw score variations for EORTC QLQ-H&N35.

Table I

Raw score variations for EORTC QLQ-H&N35.

Symptom/item	Raw score at initial visit	Raw score before CRT	Raw score after CRT	Raw score 1 year after CRT
Pain	2.00	1.75	1.00	1.00
Swallowing	3.00	2.00	1.25	1.00
Teeth	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Opening mouth	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Dry mouth	1.00	1.00	2.00	1.00
Sticky saliva	1.00	1.00	2.00	1.00
Senses	1.00	1.00	1.5	1.00
Coughing	3.00	3.00	2.00	1.00
Felt ill	4.00	2.00	1.00	1.00
Speech	4.00	4.00	2.33	1.66
Social eating	3.25	3.00	1.25	1.00
Social contact	3.00	3.40	2.60	2.60
Sexuality	-	-	-	-
Pain killers	2.00	2.00	1.00	1.00
Nutritional supplements	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Feeding tube	1.00	1.00	1.00	1.00
Weight loss	2.00	2.00	1.00	1.00
Weight gain	1.00	1.00	2.00	2.00

[i] CRT, chemoradiotherapy; -, not provided.

The patient completed the Romanian version of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire at each visit in the ENT clinic, which consists of 35 items allocated in 11 single item scales (teeth, opening mouth and dry mouth) and seven multi-item scales, measuring symptoms, such as pain, swallowing, taste and smell and speech. The questionnaire is reliable and valid, according to previous studies (19,20). The scores of the questionnaire range from 0-100. In the symptom scales, higher values correspond to a lower QoL and a greater issue (12). The items with the highest consistent raw scores were swallowing, speech and social contact and discomfort, with values that decreased with time. Social contact was partially modified by the global pandemic and legal restrictions. In addition, the patient chose not to answer the sexuality section.

ACE-27 is used to evaluate future development of severe acute toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy (10). This tool can also be used in patients who receive primary surgical treatment for SCC, as a prognostic indicator of mortality and complications (21). Higher grading of pre-existent pathologies is associated with higher chances of severe acute toxicities, postoperative surgical complications and mortality rate (17,18). In the present study, ACE-27 indicated a moderate decompensation (grade 2) for cardiovascular system. KPSS values varied from 20% in the initial visit (the patient required active treatment) to 70% in the last visit (he managed to care for himself although he could not actively work anymore) (Fig. 2).

Figure 2 Local aspect 1 year after chemoradiation therapy. (A and B) Endoscopic view of hypopharynx and larynx in abduction (during breathing). (C) Endoscopic view in adduction (during speaking).

Discussion

Given the assumption that both treatment and technique help performance, and medical research can sometimes require a high degree of abstraction (22); studies so far were not able to show a significant improvement of the survival rates and local control using various regimens of induction chemotherapy in comparison to the concurrent CRT, the last one remains the standard of care in organ conservation for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer (16).

Other studies have already proven that ACE-27 score, BMI, hemoglobin and albumin levels are independent variables of prognosis in cancer and are useful in estimating survival and distinguishing between risk groups (9,21,23,24). In the present study, a good response in QoL was associated with values that had lowering tendencies throughout evaluations. The highest scores that accounted the most discomfort were in swallowing, speech and social contact, similar to other QoL studies (14,19,20). The requirement for emergency tracheostomy did not predict future complications; early tracheostomy care and discharge education had an important role in maintaining good QoL. In addition, good treatment response was associated with normal hemoglobin levels at the end of treatment and within standard limits for platelet number, coagulation profile, urea, creatinine levels, ALT, AST, sodium, potassium, CRP and ESR, for the entire evaluation period.

Further studies are required to validate the results presented here. Prospective studies will apply this template on a larger sample size from the QoL perspective and treatment response.

Acknowledgements

This material is part of a larger, on-going doctoral study by A.G. Vulcu Cordunianu, a PhD student at Titu Maiorescu University of Bucharest, Romania, Medicine Doctoral School with Cochior Daniel University Professor, PhD Habil, as thesis coordinator.

Funding

Funding: No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during the current case are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors' contributions

AGVC and DC drafted the presentation and were involved in the design and conception of the present study. GG and AGVC obtained patient consent, acquired the data and confirmed authenticity of all the raw data. MAC was responsible for data analysis and performed the literature review. AGVC and MAC drafted the initial manuscript. DC critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Patient consent for publication

The patient provided written informed consent for his data collection and submission for publication.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References