Table 13 Guidelines for contouring neck levels when negative at imaging in hypopharyngeal cancer

Pyriform sinus

N0

IIa-IV bilateral

V and RP bilateral, VI ipsilateral if oesophageal extension

Pyriform sinus

N+

IIa-V-RP bilateral, VI ipsilateral

Ipsilateral retrostyloid lymph nodes need to be included if clinical or radiological level II involvement is present.

Pharyngeal wall

N0

IIa-IV-RP bilateral, VI ipsilateral

V bilateral if esophageal extention

Pharyngeal wall

N+

I-V, RP bilateral, VI ipsilateral

Ipsilateral retrostyloid lymph nodes need to be included if clinical or radiological level II involvement is present.