Results of radiation therapy in malignant hypopharyngeal tumors

Fifty cases with malignant tumors of the hypopharynx having been irradiated with cobalt-60 at the Radiological Clinic of the Kiel University between 1965 and 1979 are reported. The cumulative 10-year survival rate amounted to 16%. Age and sex, the histology and mode of growth as well as the stage (mostly III or IV) and the primary site of the tumor had no prognostic significance, whereas the tumor response to treatment proved decisive to the prognosis: of the cases clinically revealing complete regression of the tumor, 32% could finally be regarded as cured. Using sole radiation therapy it was possible to obtain total regression of the tumor in 72% with doses between 1500 and 1650 ret, and in 84% with doses between 1651 and 1800 ret. All the patients with clinically incomplete tumor regression deceased within a year. (orig.)