Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Not Amenable to Curative Therapy

This protocol addresses patients with recurrent or metastatic hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma where curative-intent radiotherapy or surgery is no longer a viable option. Systemic treatment selection in this setting is guided by prior platinum exposure and immunotherapy eligibility.

The patient has not received platinum-based chemotherapy in the last 6 months, and PD-L1 assessment has not been carried out. These factors — platinum eligibility and the absence of a PD-L1 result — are central to navigating treatment choices in this population.

The standard approach in this setting involves an immunotherapy-based combination regimen. Distinct alternatives exist depending on whether the patient has a contraindication to immunotherapy and on their fitness for platinum-based therapy — ensuring that options remain available across a broad range of patient profiles.