Tumor volume as determined by computed tomography predicts local control in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with primary surgery.

Computed tomography reliably evaluates hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) regarding the infiltration of specific anatomic structures and tumor volumes, both of which have been shown to be predictors of local control in patients treated with radiation therapy alone. However, an association of specific infiltrated structures and/or tumor volume with local control has not been investigated for surgical treatment; thus, we determined relationships of various infiltrated anatomic structures and tumor volume with local control in patients with hypopharyngeal SCC treated with primary surgery. In 45 hypopharyngeal SCC, tumor volumes were measured by pretreatment CT, and extent of tumor infiltration was determined by postoperative pathologic examination.