Stages and survival rates Staging<unk>  is a way of marking the<unk> 's progression and is measured on a 0 to 4 (IV) scale. To determine each stage, smaller categories must be defined first: T. N. M. (tumor, lymph nodes, and metastasis). These were developed by the American Joint Committee on<unk> . Early stage Stages of<unk>  Tumor (T) Lymph Nodes (L) Metastasis (M) Stage 0 Epithelium Only None M0 Stage 1 T1 None M0 Stage 2 T2 None M0 Stage 3 T1-T3 Or T3 N1 None M0 M0 Stage 4 (A) T1-T3 Or T4 N2 N1-N2 M0 M0 Stage 4 (B) T4 N1, N2 or N3 M0 Stage 4 (C) T1-T4 N1-N2 M1 Stage 0 This implies that a tumor was found in the epithelium, the layer of tissue closest to the top, but not in the connective tissue. A patient would not have swollen lymph nodes and the<unk>  has not metastasized to other tissues or organs. This is almost never diagnosed in the case of<unk> . Stage I (1) T1: the tumor is less than 2 cm across and is limited to one area in the hypopharynx. There is still no lymph node involvement and no metastasis. Stage I<unk>  has a five-year survival rate of 41%, but this type of<unk>  is rarely caught in Stage I because the first signs and symptoms are often unnoticed or patients remain asymptomatic. Stage II (2) T2: the tumor has grown to affect more than one area of the hypopharynx and is between 2 and 4 centimeters with no lymph node involvement and no metastasis. Late stage Stage III (3) T1 or T2 or T3: the tumor's growth is between less than 2 cm and more than 4 cm and may be affecting the vocal cords. AND N1:<unk>  has spread to one lymph node (same side of the neck as tumor), which has swollen to 3 cm or less. OR T3: the tumor is more than 4 cm and is affecting the vocal cords. BUT there is no lymph node involvement. Note: The distinction between the two is made by the oncologist. Stage II and III have a five-year survival rate of 36%. Stage IV (4) The final stage has three subsets depending on the severity of the<unk> . Stage IVA T1 or T2 or T3: the tumor is between less than 2 cm or more than 4 cm. AND N2:<unk>  has spread to one or more lymph nodes, less than 6 cm, on one or both sides of the neck. OR T4: the tumor is affecting different areas outside of the hypopharynx, starting with the throat and moving towards the spine and chest cavity. AND N1 or N2:<unk>  is affecting 1 or more lymph nodes that are between less than 3 and less than 6 cm on one or both sides of the throat. Stage IVB T4: The tumor is affecting areas outside of the hypopharynx. N1 or N2 or N3: Lymph nodes are between less than 3 or up to 6 cm on one or both sides of the neck. Stage IVC (end stage) The<unk>  could be anything from T1 to T4, N1 to N4, but the major difference is that the<unk>  has metastasized (M1) to other organs away from the hypopharynx. Stage IV<unk>  only has a 10% five-year survival. Most cases of<unk>  are found in the end stage because the<unk>  is close to several large lymphatic vessels, easily spreading to other regions of the body. Tests to diagnose<unk>  There are several ways to diagnose<unk> . *Physical Examination: The doctor checks for swollen lymph nodes and may look down the patient's throat with a long handled mirror. *Endoscopy: Inserted into the nose or mouth of the patient, this uses a thin fiberoptic camera that allows the doctor to see directly down the throat. *Biopsy: This is a small tissue sample taken from the lesion. The tissue is analyzed for the presences of<unk>  cells. * CT scan or MRI: These tests will give doctors a detailed cross-sectional image of the area in question in the body. It can confirm or suggest a diagnosis and also stage extent of disease.
Hypopharyngeal cancer
Laryngeal cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer
Adenoiditis
Epiglottitis
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Laryngeal cyst
Nasopharyngeal cyst