Swallowing performance and tube feeding status in patients treated with parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

JW Roe, PN Carding, MJ Drinnan, KJ Harrington, CM Nutting

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the swallowing performance of patients with head and neck cancer treated with parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods
Sixty-two patients were recruited. Data were collected before and up to 12 months after treatment. Measures included the Performance Status Scale for head and neck cancer (PSS-HN Normalcy of Diet and Eating in Public subscales), tube feeding status, and 100 mL water swallow test (WST) volume and capacity scores.

Results
There was a significant reduction in PSS-HN and WST scores from baseline to 3 months (p < .001). Significant improvements were observed up to 12 months on the PSS-HN. Swallowing volume and capacity scores recovered but did not reach statistical significance. Tube feeding was not required in 47% of the patients.

Conclusion
IMRT significantly impacts on swallowing performance, although there is a trend for improvement up to 12 months after treatment. Our data support a case-by-case approach to tube feeding.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)E1436–E1444
JournalHead and Neck
Volume38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2016

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