Superficial pharyngeal cancer can be diagnosed in the West

Table of Contents

A 51-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol and tobacco use presented with globus sensation. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated a 6-mm patch of reddish mucosa in the left pyriform sinus ([Fig. 1]). The lesion was visualized most clearly using narrow-band imaging (NBI) ([Fig. 2]). Biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma in situ. The patient therefore underwent an endoscopic mucosal resection using cap (EMR-C) under general anesthesia ([Video 1]). The procedure was well tolerated. The en-bloc resection specimen was pinned and examined using white light and Lugol's solution to assess the resection margin ([Fig. 3]). The histopathology of the oriented resection specimen confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in situ ([Fig. 4]). Because carcinoma in situ in the hypopharynx can metastasize, the patient had a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which revealed a hypermetabolic lung lesion ([Fig. 5]). He underwent video-assisted thorascopic surgery, left upper lobectomy, and removal of a 1.5-cm adenocarcinoma.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic view using white light of an area of irregularity in the left pyriform sinus.

Fig. 2 Narrow-band imaging demonstrating irregular capillary loops within the area of concern.

Fig. 3 The lesion, removed en-bloc by endoscopic mucosal resection using cap (EMR-C), was examined with white light (a) and Lugol's solution (b) to assess the lateral resection margin.

Fig. 4 Histopathologic examination of the resected specimen showed squamous carcinoma involving the deep mucosal layer, with clear lateral and vertical margins, and without lymphovascular involvement.

Fig. 5 Positron emission tomography (PET) scan demonstrating a hypermetabolic lung nodule that was ultimately diagnosed as adenocarcinoma.

Video 1 Endoscopic mucosal resection of superficial pharyngeal cancer.

Muto et al. have described the utility of careful endoscopy of the hypopharynx, especially in those at high risk for development of head and neck cancers [1]. Early diagnosis offers the best chance of survival from these cancers, which historically have poor prognosis. With the use of image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) and NBI, the increased density, size, and shape of the surface microvasculature of squamous cell cancers causes the lesions to appear as a brown area with a sharp border on the background of greenish mucosa. Application of Lugol’s solution is useful to delineate the border. We safely applied minimally invasive EMR to remove this early stage pharyngeal cancer [2]. Our Japanese colleagues, who previously led us to detect the prevalence of flat and depressed colorectal neoplasms in our American population, have now also pointed us towards the diagnosis and treatment of superficial pharyngeal cancers [3]. We demonstrate that superficial pharyngeal cancer in an at-risk patient can be detected with white light and enhanced endoscopy and resected using mucosal resection in our Western population.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AB_2AB

Competing interests: None

References

• 1 Muto M, Minashi K, Yano T. et al . Early detection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region and esophagus by narrow band imaging: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.  J Clin Oncol. 2010;  28 1566-1572
• 2 Suzuki H, Saito Y, Oda S. et al . Feasibility of endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial pharyngeal cancer: a minimally invasive treatment.  Endoscopy. 2010;  42 1-7
• 3 Soetikno R M, Kaltenbach T, Rouse R V. et al . Prevalence of nonpolypoid (flat and depressed) colorectal neoplasms in asymptomatic and symptomatic adults.  JAMA. 2008;  299 1027-1035