Cancer is a group of many related diseases. All cancers begin in
cells, the body's basic unit of life. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up the organs of the body.
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old and die, new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or
tumor.
Tumors can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancer. Usually, doctors can remove them. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. In most cases, benign tumors do not come back after they are removed. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.
Malignant tumors are cancer. They are generally more serious. Cancer cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. That is how cancer cells spread from the original (
primary) tumor to form new tumors in other organs. The spread of cancer is called
metastasis.
The Hypopharynx
The hypopharynx is the part of the throat (
pharynx) that lies beside and behind the larynx. The hypopharynx is the entrance into the esophagus. Food goes from the mouth and through the hypopharynx and esophagus, where it then passes into the stomach. The structure of the hypopharynx makes sure that food goes around the larynx and into the esophagus.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Almost all cancers in the hypopharynx develop from the thin, flat cells called squamous cells, which are in the epithelium, the inner layer lining the hypopharynx. Cancer beginning in this layer of cells is called
squamous cell carcinoma or
squamous cell cancer.
Most squamous cell cancers of the hypopharynx begin as pre-cancerous conditions called
dysplasia. Most of the time, dysplasia doesn't turn into actual cancer. It often goes away without any treatment.
Some cases of dysplasia will progress into a condition called
carcinoma in situ. In this stage, cancer cells are only seen in the epithelium lining. They have not grown into deeper layers or spread to other parts of the body. It is the earliest form of cancer.
Other Cancers
Other rare types of cancer can also start in the hypopharynx.
Minor Salivary Gland Cancers: Some areas of the hypopharynx have tiny glands known as
minor salivary glands beneath the lining layer. These glands produce mucus and saliva to lubricate and moisten the area.
Sarcomas: The shape of the hypopharynx depends on a framework of connective tissues and cartilage. Cancers like
chondrosarcomas or
synovial sarcomas can develop from connective tissues of the hypopharynx. This is extremely rare.
Melanomas: Although, these cancers usually start in the skin, in rare cases they can start on inner (
mucosal) surfaces of the body such as the hypopharynx.