Swallow function in patients before and after intra-arterial chemoradiation

Darlene E. Graner, Robert L. Foote, Jan L. Kasperbauer, Ruth E. Stoeckel, Scott H. Okuno, Kerry D. Olsen, Alain N. Sabri, Nicolas E. Maragos, Stephen S. Cha, Dan J. Sargent, Scott E. Strome

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: To prospectively evaluate swallow function in patients with advanced head and neck cancer before and after completion of intraarterial chemoradiation therapy and planned neck dissection. Study Design: Prospective nonrandomized study. Methods: Swallow function was evaluated in 11 patients with resectable T4 and selected T3 head and neck cancer before and, on average, 19 weeks after completion of treatment. Results: The Performance Status Scale demonstrated worse scores for both eating in public (P = .004) and normalcy of diet (P = .004) after treatment. Patients who underwent neck dissections had significantly worse scores (P = .02) in normalcy of diet. A significant decline was noted in swallowing functional measures at the time of the repeat evaluation (P = .02). Videofluoroscopic swallow studies revealed altered swallow function in 9 of 11 patients before treatment, with aspiration seen in 3 patients. Following treatment, the incidence of aspiration increased to seven patients. Tongue base retraction, reduced laryngeal elevation, and increased laryngeal vestibule penetration of thick liquid were all statistically significantly worse after treatment. The overall score on the quality of life instrument was not significantly changed from before to after treatment. Conclusions: The majority of patients demonstrated significantly worse swallow function on all three methods of analysis at 19 weeks after completion of treatment. Continued detailed monitoring of patients' swallow function is critical in determining long-term effects of intra-arterial chemoradiation therapy and neck dissection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)573-579
Number of pages7
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume113
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2003

Keywords

  • Dysphagia
  • Head and neck cancer
  • Intra-arterial chemoradiation therapy
  • Organ preservation therapy
  • Videofluoroscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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