Dysphagia in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer after radiation therapy: A videofluoroscopic swallowing study
Journal
Dysphagia
Journal Volume
18
Journal Issue
2
Pages
135-143
Date Issued
2003
Author(s)
Abstract
This study evaluated swallowing status and the factors influencing swallowing in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiation therapy. During the period from July 1995 to June 1999, this cross-sectional study used videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) to evaluate 184 NPC patients who had completed radiation therapy [113 cases had completed radiation therapy ?12 months prior to evaluation (acute group) and 71 cases had completed radiation therapy >12 months prior to evaluation (chronic group)]. The numbers of patients with tumors in each of the four stages were as follows: 24 in stage I, 45 in stage II, 41 in stage III, and 74 in stage IV. Swallowing abnormalities of the acute and chronic groups were correlated with multiple variables, including gender, age, the stage of the tumor, use of either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiosensitizer, and radiation modality. The analytical results indicated that the chronic group had a significantly higher proportion of swallowing abnormalities. Radiation modality, chemotherapy, and tumor staging were not significantly associated with swallowing dysfunction. Trend analysis revealed a progressive deterioration of most parameters of swallowing function in this group of patients. These findings indicate that swallowing function continues to deteriorate over time, even many years after radiation therapy in patients with NPC. Our results indicate that the time elapsed since radiation therapy correlates with the severity of dysphagia in NPC patients.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antineoplastic agent; barium sulfate; cisplatin; cobalt 60; epirubicin; fluorouracil; folinic acid; methotrexate; mitomycin C; adult; aged; article; aspiration pneumonia; barium meal; cancer adjuvant therapy; cancer radiotherapy; cancer staging; dysphagia; female; fluoroscopy; functional assessment; head and neck cancer; human; major clinical study; male; nasopharynx cancer; prevalence; priority journal; swallowing; treatment outcome; videorecording; adolescent; carcinoma; cross-sectional study; dysphagia; fluoroscopy; middle aged; nasopharynx tumor; radiography; radiotherapy; videorecording; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Carcinoma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Deglutition Disorders; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Video Recording
Type
journal article