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Hypopharyngeal cancer

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer. The cancer is in the lining of the hypopharynx, the lower part of the throat. Because this type of cancer is located in the mucous membrane, it is also called a squamous cell carcinoma . Hypopharyngeal cancer usually occurs in men over the age of 50.

On this page you can read more about the symptoms, examinations and treatments for hypopharyngeal cancer.

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Learn more about hypopharyngeal cancer

Causes of hypopharyngeal cancer

Important risk factors are smoking and drinking alcohol. Hypopharyngeal cancer is more likely to occur if someone in your family has had oral cavity cancer, throat cancer, or lung cancer.

Symptoms of hypopharyngeal cancer

With hypopharyngeal cancer, you may have the following signs or symptoms:

  • pain that is sometimes also in the ears
  • difficulty swallowing
  • the feeling of a lump in the throat
  • hoarseness
  • thick spots in the neck

Examination and diagnosis

To diagnose hypopharyngeal cancer, we perform the following tests:

Bloedbuisjes

Blood tests
CT Scan handen

CT scan
Echografie

Ultrasound
Punctie zoom

Liquid biopsy
Biopsie verpleegkundigen

Tissue biopsy
Nucleaire geneeskunde pet

PET/CT scan

Treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer

We try to treat you in an organ- and function-sparing way. This means that we try to preserve the larynx and vocal cords. We then use radiotherapy (radiation) or chemoradiation, a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Laser surgery is only sometimes possible if the cancer is detected very early.

Chemotherapy

Chemoradiation

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Immunotherapy

Waiting

We want to inform you as well as possible about the waiting time per condition. We do this based on a prognosis of the current waiting list. The waiting time can vary from patient to patient for various reasons. Your attending physician will give you more information during your outpatient consultation.

  • 4 days

    First appointment

    Your first appointment will be planned within approximately 4 days.

  • 2 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    It will take approximately 2 days before you can start rapid diagnostics

  • 11 days

    Second opinion

    It will take approximately 11 days before you can come in for a second opinion

Read more about making an appointment or second opinion here

Make an appointment

Second opinion or transfer

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