Preserving Laryngo‐Esophageal Function in Patients With Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treated With Radiotherapy: Predictive Factors and Long‐Term Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Functional outcomes after hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) treatment have a significant effect on patients' quality of life and prognosis. This study aimed to identify the predictive factors associated with laryngo-esophageal dysfunction in patients with HPC who received definitive radiotherapy. METHODS: Patients with HPC treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy between 2007 and 2019 at our institution were retrospectively evaluated. Laryngo-esophageal dysfunction-free survival (LDFS) events were defined as local recurrence, laryngo-esophageal dysfunction (defined as tracheostomy or feeding tube dependence), or death from any cause. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 61 months for the 80 patients included in the study. The 5-year LDFS rate was 47%. A clinical T4 stage and lower pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were independently associated with a lower LDFS. CONCLUSION: A clinical T4 stage and lower pretreatment PNI were identified as predictors of a lower LDFS after definitive radiotherapy for HPC.