Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (also called hypopharyngeal cancer or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) is a type of cancer that starts in the hypopharynx — the lower part of the throat, just behind the voice box and above the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach). It is one of the less common head and neck cancers, but it tends to be diagnosed at a later stage because early symptoms can be easy to miss or mistake for other conditions. This cancer grows from the flat, scale-like cells (called squamous cells) that line the inside of the hypopharynx. Because this area is involved in both swallowing and breathing, the cancer can cause problems with eating, speaking, and breathing as it grows. The most common areas affected include the piriform sinuses (small pockets on either side of the voice box), the posterior pharyngeal wall (the back wall of the throat), and the post-cricoid area (just behind the voice box). The main risk factors are heavy tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption, especially when combined. Treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In some cases, doctors try to preserve the voice box (larynx-sparing approaches). Despite advances in treatment, this cancer often has a serious outlook because it is frequently found at an advanced stage. Early detection and a team of specialists working together give patients the best chance of a good outcome.
Key symptoms:
Persistent sore throat that does not go awayDifficulty or pain when swallowingA feeling that food is getting stuck in the throatHoarse or changed voiceEar pain, especially on one sideA lump or swelling in the neckUnexplained weight lossCoughing, sometimes with bloodNoisy or difficult breathingPersistent bad breathLoss of appetite
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsMatthew Spector — PHASE2
Olgun Elicin — PHASE2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE2
Erasmus Medical Center — PHASE2
Beijing Tongren Hospital — PHASE2
Erasmus Medical Center — PHASE1
Centre Leon Berard — PHASE3
Beijing Tongren Hospital — PHASE2
AIO-Studien-gGmbH
Merus B.V. — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
11 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Thermoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: Personalized Elective Neck Irradiation Guided by Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Larynx and Pharynx Cancer. The PRIMO Study.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: Lymphocyte-Sparing And Radio-Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: Testing What Happens When an Immunotherapy Drug (Pembrolizumab) is Given by Itself Compared to the Usual Treatment of Chemotherapy With Radiation After Surgery for Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: Testing Docetaxel-Cetuximab or the Addition of an Immunotherapy Drug, Atezolizumab, to the Usual Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in High-Risk Head and Neck Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: Head and Neck Carcinoma Clinical Research Platform for Molecular and Blood-based Biomarkers, Treatment and Outcome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: First Line Weekly Chemo/Immunotherapy for Metastatic Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Petosemtamab Plus Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer (LiGeR - HN1)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: The Management of Metastatic Neck Nodes in N2/3 Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
New recruiting trial: A Study of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Combination With Cetuximab in People With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer (HNSCC)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options and outlook?,Is it possible to preserve my voice box, and what are the trade-offs between surgery and chemoradiation?,What are the most likely side effects of the treatment plan you are recommending, and how will they be managed?,Will I need a feeding tube, and if so, for how long?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,How often will I need follow-up appointments after treatment, and what will monitoring involve?,What support services — such as speech therapy, nutrition counseling, or mental health support — are available to me?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (also called hypopharyngeal cancer or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma) is a type of cancer that starts in the hypopharynx — the lower part of the throat, just behind the voice box and above the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach). It is one of the less common head and neck cancers, but it tends to be diagnosed at a later stage because early symptoms can be easy to miss or mistake for other conditions. This cancer grows from the flat, scale-like cells (called squamous cells) that line the inside of the hypopharynx. Because thi
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx?
Yes — 11 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.