Cancer of the pharynx and larynx

Carcinoma of the head and neck is among the most debilitating forms of cancer. Survival rates for these tumors vary and depend on the presence of early symptoms, anatomic accessibility, and lymphatic supply. Despite advances in therapy and novel surgical approaches, early diagnosis remains the best predictor of survival. This article reviews the diagnosis, staging criteria, and treatment strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and laryngeal carcinoma in an effort to heighten the clinical and endoscopic recognition of these lesions.