Endoscopic Resection of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Gene Hyun Bok; Won Young Cho; Joo Young Cho; So Young Jin; Ji Ho Ahn; Chang Gyun Chun; Tae Hee Lee; Hyun Gun Kim

doi:10.5946/ce.2013.46.2.189

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Case Report Endoscopic Resection of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Gene Hyun Bok, Won Young Cho, Joo Young Cho, So Young Jin, Ji Ho Ahn, Chang Gyun Chun, Tae Hee Lee, Hyun Gun Kim; Clinical Endoscopy 2013;46(2):189-192.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2013.46.2.189
Published online: March 31, 2013

Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence: Joo Young Cho. Digestive Disease Center, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, 59 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-743, Korea. Tel: +82-2-709-9202, Fax: +82-2-709-9696, cjy6695@dreamwiz.com

• Received: February 6, 2012 • Revised: June 27, 2012 • Accepted: June 29, 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Abstract
INTRODUCTION
CASE REPORT
DISCUSSION
NOTES
REFERENCES

Abstract

Hypopharyngeal cancers are often diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a poor prognosis. Even when they are diagnosed at an operable stage, surgery often results in substantial morbidity and decreased patients' quality of life. Although the endoscopic diagnosis of early hypopharyngeal cancer is difficult, recent developments in advanced imaging endoscopy have enabled easier diagnosis of these lesions. Endoscopic resection of early hypopharyngeal cancer is a potential minimally invasive treatment that can preserve the function and quality of life of patients. Reports of this procedure are limited, however. We report a case of hypopharygeal cancer treated with endoscopic resection.
Keywords: Hypopharyngeal neoplasms; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Endoscopic mucosal resection

INTRODUCTION

Annually, there are approximately 1,000 newly diagnosed cases of pharyngeal cancer in Korea. Hypopharyngeal cancer comprises one-third of these cases and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to extensive surgical resection, post-surgical loss of function of swallowing and/or speaking, and poor prognosis.1-3 With the initiation of the National Cancer Screening program, routine diagnostic endoscopy is increasing in Korea. However, the oropharyx is commonly overlooked in many cases due to patient discomfort or under-appreciation of this anatomical region by endoscopists.4 Current developments in high definition endoscopy and novel imaging endoscopy, such as narrow band imaging (NBI), magnifying endoscopy and the i-scan, have enabled gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopists to detect hypopharyngeal carcinoma at an early stage.5,6 Patients with such early lesions can be treated with endoscopic resection. There have been only a few reports of successful endoscopic resection for hypopharyngeal cancer, almost exclusively from Japan.1-5

CASE REPORT

A 55-year-old Asian male was referred to our department for the management of suspicious hypopharyngeal cancer diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy at a primary medical clinic. The patient was not present with symptoms related to hypopharyngeal disease, such as dysphagia or throat discomfort. He was a 40-pack/year current smoker and consumed alcohol on a regular basis (>3 times per week). He had previously undergone Ivor-Lewis operation for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (pT1N0M0) 1 year ago. Pathologic review of the biopsy specimen from the referring clinic showed squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopic examination disclosed a round slightly elevated hyperemic mucosal lesion, approximately 8 mm at the longest diameter, at the right pyriform recess (Fig. 1A). NBI showed dilated, tortuous and irregular intrapapillary ca-pillary loops (IPCL), consistent with type V IPCL pattern described by Inoue et al. (Fig. 1B).7 Contrast enhanced neck and chest computed tomography (CT) scans showed no evidence of focal lesions or lymph node enlargement in the head and neck region, and positron emission tomography-CT scans were unrevealing. Based on these findings we diagnosed stage I early hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (cT1N0M0). The patient refused extensive resection and endoscopic resection was planned. Endoscopic resection was performed under general anesthesia. A cap fitted, forward-viewing, sterilized endoscope (EG2001i; Pentax Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was used for the entire procedure. Lugol's solution was applied for demarcation of the lesion, and marking around the lesion was performed with the Dual knife (KD-650Q; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Saline solution with 0.001% epinephrine and 0.004% indigo carmine dye was injected with a 23-gauge needle (NM-200L-0423; Olympus) into the submucosa under and around the lesion for mucosal elevation. After sufficient mucosal elevation around the lesion had been achieved, a snare was introduced into the accessory channel and suction was applied. The lesion was ensnared and resected en bloc using the cap assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR-C) technique. The total procedure time was 35 minutes, and no complications occurred during the procedure. The resected specimen measured 10×9 mm and an erythematous elevated lesion was observed in the center of the specimen (Fig. 2A, B).

Immunohistochemical staining and pathologic analysis was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma in situ with p53 protein overexpression in the full thickness of the epithelial layer (Fig. 3A-C). Both lateral and vertical resection margins were free from involvement of the tumor. The patient recovered without incident and was discharged on the 6th postoperative day. Six months later on routine endoscopic follow-up, a slightly depressed hyperemic lesion was observed at the opposite left pyriform sinus (Fig. 1C). Although endoscopic biopsy was negative, NBI showed an irregular vascular pattern (Fig. 1D) and additional EMR-C was performed (Fig. 2C, D). Final pathologic results showed low grade dysplasia with focal p53 protein overexpression confined to the lower one-third of the epithelial layer (Fig. 3D-F).

DISCUSSION

Diagnostic screening endoscopy is performed routinely in Korea, and with it the incidence of early stage GI cancers is increasing. Although the detection of early stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma is difficult, such lesions can be identified as demarcated reddish areas on careful endoscopic examination.4,5 High definition imaging and new endoscopic imaging modalities such as NBI, magnifying endoscopy, and i-scan technology can further enhance the detection of such lesions. Muto et al.4 reported that NBI was superior to conventional endoscopy for detection of early stage oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Endoscopy may also play an important role for the surveillance and early detection of synchronous and/or metachronous squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx and esophagus in previously treated patients. As in our case, these cancers are known to have a high risk of developing second primary malignancies (field cancerization). The reported overall incidence of second primary malignancies, which is higher in smokers and alcohol drinkers than in non-smokers and nondrinkers, ranges between 5% and 30%, with an annual incidence of 1.5% to 7% per year, even in long-term survivors. Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and oropharynx are known to be associated to secondary primary malignancies in the esophagus, and tumors at the same location.8,9

Currently in Korean and Japan, endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer is considered a standard therapy. However, the indication for endoscopic resection in the case of hypopharyngeal carcinoma is unclear because experience of surgical resection for early stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma is rare. Furthermore, the muscularis mucosa, which divides the GI mucosa from the submucosa, does not exist in the hypopharynx. Some authors have suggested that carcinoma in situ or slightly invaded carcinoma may be an indication for endoscopic resection.1-5 However, there is limited data to support this hypothesis. Therefore, strict informed consent and careful patient selection is needed prior to treatment.

Endoscopic resection of early stage hypopharyngeal cancer is less invasive, and has the potential to improve patients' quality of life with regard to swallowing disorder, aspiration pneumonia, speech, and cosmetic defects associated with extensive resection. However, for further expansion of endoscopic resection in cases of early stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma, multicenter studies aimed at establishing indication with regard to depth of invasion, tumor size, and frequency of complications are needed. Although further evidence is needed, the authors believe that endoscopic resection, preferably en bloc resection, is a viable option for early stage cancer or carcinoma in situ of the hypopharynx.

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

1. Shimizu Y, Yamamoto J, Kato M, et al. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of early stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Gastrointest Endosc 2006;64:255–259.Article PubMed
2. Suzuki H, Saito Y, Oda I, Nonaka S, Nakanishi Y. Feasibility of endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial pharyngeal cancer: a minimally invasive treatment. Endoscopy 2010;42:1–7.Article PubMed
3. Iizuka T, Kikuchi D, Hoteya S, Yahagi N, Takeda H. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of mesopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Endoscopy 2009;41:113–117.Article PubMed
4. Muto M, Nakane M, Katada C, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ at oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal mucosal sites. Cancer 2004;101:1375–1381.Article PubMed
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6. Wang WL, Lee CT, Lee YC, et al. Risk factors for developing synchronous esophageal neoplasia in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2011;33:77–81.Article PubMed
7. Inoue H, Honda T, Nagai K, et al. Ultra-high magnification endoscopic observation of carcinoma in situ of the esophagus. Dig Endosc 1997;9:16–18.Article
8. Petit T, Georges C, Jung GM, et al. Systematic esophageal endoscopy screening in patients previously treated for head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma. Ann Oncol 2001;12:643–646.Article PubMed
9. León X, Quer M, Diez S, Orús C, López-Pousa A, Burgués J. Second neoplasm in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 1999;21:204–210.Article PubMed

Fig. 1

Endoscopic findings of the hypopharynx. (A) A hyperemic elevated lesion in observed at the right pyriform recess (yellow arrow). (B) Narrow band imaging (NBI) shows a type V irregular intrapapillary capillary loops pattern. (C) A slightly depressed mucosal lesion at the left pyriform recess (yellow arrow) is seen on follow up endoscopy. (D) NBI shows an irregular vascular pattern.

Fig. 2

Gross and pathologic mapping findings of the resected lesions. (A) Specimen from right pyriform recess. A hyperemic elevated lesion measuring approximately 7×3 mm in observed in the center of the specimen. (B) Pathologic mapping shows the lesion in orange with free lateral margins. (C) Specimen from left pyriform recess. A minute mucosal lesion is observed at the upper left hand corner of the specimen. (D) Pathologic mapping show the lesion in orange with free lateral margins.

Fig. 3

Microscopic findings of the resected lesion. Top; right pyriform recess. (A, B) The entire epithelial layer is replaced by atypical squamous epithelial cells, (C) accompanied by diffuse strong p53 protein overexpression in their nuclei. Bottom; left pyriform recess. (D, E) The squamous cells in the lower one-third of the epithelial layer is atypical, (F) where p53 protein overexpression can be identified (A, D, H&E stain, ×40; B, E, H&E stain, ×100; C, F, p53, ×100).

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

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Endoscopic Resection of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Clin Endosc. 2013;46(2):189-192. Published online March 31, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2013.46.2.189

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Endoscopic Resection of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fig. 1 Endoscopic findings of the hypopharynx. (A) A hyperemic elevated lesion in observed at the right pyriform recess (yellow arrow). (B) Narrow band imaging (NBI) shows a type V irregular intrapapillary capillary loops pattern. (C) A slightly depressed mucosal lesion at the left pyriform recess (yellow arrow) is seen on follow up endoscopy. (D) NBI shows an irregular vascular pattern.

Fig. 2 Gross and pathologic mapping findings of the resected lesions. (A) Specimen from right pyriform recess. A hyperemic elevated lesion measuring approximately 7×3 mm in observed in the center of the specimen. (B) Pathologic mapping shows the lesion in orange with free lateral margins. (C) Specimen from left pyriform recess. A minute mucosal lesion is observed at the upper left hand corner of the specimen. (D) Pathologic mapping show the lesion in orange with free lateral margins.

Fig. 3 Microscopic findings of the resected lesion. Top; right pyriform recess. (A, B) The entire epithelial layer is replaced by atypical squamous epithelial cells, (C) accompanied by diffuse strong p53 protein overexpression in their nuclei. Bottom; left pyriform recess. (D, E) The squamous cells in the lower one-third of the epithelial layer is atypical, (F) where p53 protein overexpression can be identified (A, D, H&E stain, ×40; B, E, H&E stain, ×100; C, F, p53, ×100).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Endoscopic Resection of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma