Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Expert throat cancer treatment in San Diego

A smiling African-American man represents the full life that can be led after laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer treatment.

Expert throat cancer treatment in San Diego

Scripps Cancer Center is a leader in caring for people with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, commonly known as throat cancers. Our oncology specialists treat these cancers with advanced therapies designed to eliminate disease and prevent recurrence, including minimally invasive surgery that uses small incisions, potentially resulting in shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery.


Our multidisciplinary, collaborative board of cancer specialists reviews complex care plans to ensure patients receive the best possible care from diagnosis to recovery.

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer treatment

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are cancers that start in the throat. Laryngeal cancer develops in the section of the throat called the larynx, also known as the voice box. The larynx contains the vocal cords and is used for speaking, breathing and swallowing. Hypopharyngeal cancer develops in the lower section of the throat (pharynx), below and behind the larynx.


As with other head and neck cancers, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers may be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of these. Your Scripps cancer care team will customize your treatment plan based on several factors, including:


  • The stage of your cancer
  • Whether your cancer has spread
  • Your age and overall health

Surgery

Depending on the cancer type, location and stage, Scripps surgeons may perform several types of surgical treatments for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Whenever possible, Scripps surgeons use minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques, which can mean smaller incisions, faster recovery time and less bleeding and scarring. Should you need reconstructive surgery after your treatment, count on our plastic surgeons for the expertise that has restored function and brought comfort and confidence to many patients.


  • Vocal cord stripping, for early-stage cancers, is when the surgeon removes superficial layers of tissue from the vocal cords.
  • Endoscopic laser surgery, for early-stage cancers, is when the surgeon uses an endoscope to locate a tumor and then removes it with a high-energy laser.
  • Cordectomy is when the surgeon removes all or part of the vocal cords. If the vocal cords are completely removed, normal speech is no longer possible.
  • Laryngectomy removes part or all of the larynx. The amount removed depends on the size and location of the cancer.
  • Supraglottic laryngectomy removes only the supraglottis, which is the upper part of the larynx above the vocal cords, and preserves normal speaking.
  • Hemilaryngectomy removes half of the larynx (voice box) and can partially preserve a patient’s voice.
  • Total laryngectomy is when all of the larynx is removed. This surgery includes a tracheostomy (also known as tracheotomy), which places a permanent incision through the front of the neck to the windpipe (trachea) to help a patient breathe.
  • Partial or total pharyngectomy is when the surgeon removes all or part of the lower throat (pharynx) and may remove the larynx. This surgery may require a reconstructive procedure to help patients swallow.
  • Lymph node removal surgery, also known as neck dissection, is performed if cancer has spread from the larynx and hypopharynx to lymph nodes of the neck.
  • Thyroidectomy may be needed if cancer spreads to the thyroid. It may be performed to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The patient may need hormone replacement therapy after this surgery.


Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may be the main treatment for small tumors, or part of a cancer treatment plan that also includes surgery and other therapies. Scripps provides the most advanced radiation treatments for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, including:


  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced form of radiation therapy. IMRT allows the radiation oncologist to specify the dose of radiation for the tumor while restricting the dose to surrounding healthy tissues.
  • 3-D conformal radiation therapy allows the radiation oncologist to visualize a patient’s anatomy in 3-D. The specialized software for 3-D conformal radiation therapy matches radiation doses to the size and shape of a tumor and thereby minimizes exposure to nearby tissues and organs.


Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be given to help shrink a large tumor before surgery, to treat cancer that cannot be removed with surgery or to treat cancer that has spread to other areas.


Chemoradiation

Chemoradiation, which combines chemotherapy and radiation, has been shown to shrink laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors more than either treatment alone. In addition, chemoradiation may be used instead of surgery to preserve the larynx.

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer treatment locations

Scripps diagnoses and treats laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers at numerous locations throughout San Diego County. From Chula Vista and La Jolla to Encinitas and beyond, our extensive network of Southern California cancer care centers includes:


  • Four Scripps hospitals on five campuses
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Specialty cancer treatment centers


For details on specific centers and their services, visit cancer care locations.

Support groups, services and resources

As leaders in throat cancer care, we know what it takes to fight a winning battle. That’s why we equip our patients with the support and resources necessary to achieve their best possible outcome. From connecting you with support groups and services to empowering you with the latest resources and research, Scripps helps you along every step of your cancer journey.

This support group is open to all patients with cancers affecting the mouth, throat, head and neck.


Scripps Radiation Therapy Center, La Jolla

2nd Thursdays, 2 – 3pm

10670 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla

Facilitator: Chrissy Fidler-Johnson, MA

Contact info: 858-626-5059


In support of our patients, survivors, their family members and the community, we also host a handful of cancer support groups as well as a range of free workshops and health and wellness events on a number of topics, such as:


  • Nutrition
  • Expressive writing
  • Yoga
  • Meditation


Check the current list of support offerings or contact your oncology social worker or cancer care coordinator.


For info about other cancer support groups in the San Diego community, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

We are here for you — not only as your oncologists, but as a robust multidisciplinary team of experts who understands that your cancer journey is about much more than your medical treatment. Specifically, Scripps Cancer Center offers a variety of patient support services to ensure your physical, psychological and emotional well-being as well as resources for dealing with the logistical and financial aspects of cancer care. Our services and resources include:


  • Oncology nurses and nurse navigators with extensive clinical expertise in cancer care to help guide you and your caregivers to make informed decisions and ensure your optimal care.
  • Palliative care to provide an extra layer of supportive care to manage pain and relieve symptoms, offer emotional and spiritual support, and improve your quality of life. 
  • Oncology social workers specially trained to provide counseling, connect you with community and medical resources, assist with transportation and housing and coordinate care after discharge.
  • Our registered dietitian nutritionists offer individualized nutrition support for patients whose efforts to optimize their nutrition may be affected by cancer symptoms or treatment side effects.
  • Referrals and professional care from experts in psychology, psychiatry and emotional health, including individual and family counseling to help with the emotional challenges of cancer.
  • Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy services, including wound care, voice therapy and swallowing therapy, lymphedema therapy, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, yoga and more.
  • Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine for patients interested in mind-body healing through acupuncture, biofeedback, herbal nutrition, massage therapy, integrative cancer care and more.
  • Nondenominational spiritual care offered by our chaplains to help coordinate spiritual care with your own clergy, rabbi or spiritual advisor.
  • Visiting patient services if you reside beyond San Diego and want help arranging appointments or learning more about short-term lodging.


For the full spectrum of offerings, please visit our cancer patient support services section.