Minimized Irradiation Volume in Treatment of Carcinomas of the Oropharynx and Hypopharynx

Tumour spread from squamous cell carcinomas in the oropharynx and hypopharynx occurs in a high percentage of cases, primarily by lymphogenic routes.Therefore, when the primary growth is clinically evident, it has spread to the neck nodes as well.On the other hand, an enlarged neck node may constitute the first indication of a primary carcinoma in the oropharynx, nasopharynx or hypopharynx.En bloc treatment should be applied to the primary site and the neck nodes.In the evaluation of the irradiation possibilities in cases with a squamous cell carcinoma in the oropharynx and hypopharynx with clinical evidence of metastatic neck nodes the following factors should be considered: the expected spread of the tumour, the irradiation volume, the sensitivity of the primary tumour and the metastatic neck node, and the tolerance of the normal tissue in the treatment volume.