Hypopharyngeal Cancer

hypopharyngeal cancer (HY-poh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the throat). The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the hypopharynx).

hypopharynx The bottom part of the throat. Cancer of the hypopharynx is also called hypopharyngeal cancer.

stage 0 hypopharyngeal cancer Cancer is found only in the lining of the hypopharynx. Also called carcinoma in situ.

stage I hypopharyngeal cancer The tumor is found only in one area of the hypopharynx and is 2 centimeters or smaller.

stage II hypopharyngeal cancer The tumor is either (1) larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and has not spread to the larynx (voice box); or (2) found in more than one area of the hypopharynx or in nearby tissues.

stage III hypopharyngeal cancer In stage III hypopharyngeal cancer the tumor is (1) found only in one area of the hypopharynx and is 2 centimeters or smaller; cancer has also spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller; or (2) in more than one area of the hypopharynx, is in nearby tissues, or is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and is not in the larynx; cancer has also spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller; or (3) larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to the larynx; cancer may have spread to a single lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller.

stage IV hypopharynx cancer The tumor has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes of the neck and may have spread to other parts of the body.

stage IVA hypopharyngeal cancer Stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVA, the tumor is (1) any size and has spread to nearby soft tissue, connective tissue, the thyroid, or the esophagus; cancer may be found either in one lymph node on the same side of the neck (the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller) or in one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck (all of these lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller); or (2) in only one area of the hypopharynx, is 2 centimeters or smaller, and has also spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck (all of these lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller); or (3) in more than one area of the hypopharynx, is in nearby tissues, or is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and has not spread to the larynx; cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck (all of these lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller); or (4) larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to the larynx; cancer has also spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck (all of these lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller).

stage IVB hypopharyngeal cancer Stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVB, the tumor either (1) has spread to nearby soft tissue, connective tissue, blood vessels, the thyroid, or the esophagus, and may have spread to lymph nodes of any size; or (2) is any size and has spread to lymph nodes that are larger than 6 centimeters.

stage IVC hypopharyngeal cancer Stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVC, cancer has spread beyond the hypopharynx to other parts of the body.

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