Clinical PaperHead and Neck OncologyA videofluoroscopic study comparing severe swallowing disorders in patients treated surgically or with radiation for oropharyngeal cancer
Section snippets
Patients
Twenty-six patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx between 2000 and 2012 with a clinically severe swallowing disorder at ≥12 months after the end of their cancer treatment, and who had undergone a videofluoroscopic swallow examination, were included in this retrospective study. Fourteen patients had undergone surgery, either alone (n = 1), or followed by radiotherapy (n = 2) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 11). Twelve patients had received medical treatment with radiotherapy alone (n =
Results
Twenty-six patients were included in the study and divided into two groups; these groups were comparable for age, sex, and AJCC status.
Discussion
While the first objective of treatment of oropharyngeal cancer is oncological cure, functional preservation is one of the main challenges of medical and surgical treatment. The incidence of severe and lasting effects on swallowing has not yet been clearly defined on account of the small number of studies and their heterogeneity.6 Swallowing is the most affected function following the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer and can have life-threatening consequences due to aspirations; it can also
Funding
None.
Competing interests
None.
Ethical approval
A certificate of exemption was obtained from the institutional ethics committee.
Patient consent
Not required.
References (30)
- et al.
Impact of dysphagia on quality of life after treatment of head-and-neck cancer
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
(2005) - et al.
Dysphagia following chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer
Ann Oncol
(2004) - et al.
Impact of swallowing therapy on aspiration rate following treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer
Oral Oncol
(2007) - et al.
Swallowing after free-flap reconstruction in patients with oral and pharyngeal cancer
Oral Oncol
(2006) - et al.
Swallowing rehabilitation after oro-pharyngeal resection for squamous cell carcinoma
Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg
(2000) - et al.
Late swallowing dysfunction and dysphagia after radiotherapy for pharynx cancer: frequency, intensity and correlation with dose and volume parameters
Radiother Oncol
(2007) Controlled trials of synchronous chemotherapy with radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: overview of radiation morbidity
Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol)
(1997)- et al.
Swallowing-related quality of life after head and neck cancer treatment
Laryngoscope
(2004) - et al.
Pretreatment swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer
Head Neck
(2000) - et al.
Analysis of factors influencing aspiration risk following chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer
Br J Radiol
(2009)
Randomized trial of radiation therapy versus concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy for advanced-stage oropharynx carcinoma
J Natl Cancer Inst
Site of disease and treatment protocol as correlates of swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation
Head Neck
Aspiration in chemoradiated patients with head and neck cancer
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Variables associated with feeding tube placement in head and neck cancer
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Xerostomia: 12-month changes in saliva production and its relationship to perception and performance of swallow function, oral intake, and diet after chemoradiation
Head Neck
Cited by (2)
ACR Appropriateness Criteria<sup>®</sup> Dysphagia
2019, Journal of the American College of RadiologyCitation Excerpt :Dysphagia occurring weeks or months following surgery may be due to dysmotility, gastroesophageal reflux, or structural abnormalities, such as anastomotic strictures, diverticula, or recurrent disease [38]. The incidence of dysphagia after laryngectomy is reported to occur in up to 72% of patients [44], and aspiration occurs in 65% of patients [45]. In addition to patients who have undergone operations to the oropharynx, larynx, and esophagus, operative procedures on the cervical spine may also cause dysphagia and significant disability.