1. Analysis of factors influencing aspiration risk following chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer.
- Author
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Nguyen NP, Frank C, Moltz CC, Vos P, Smith HJ, Nguyen PD, Martinez T, Karlsson U, Dutta S, Lemanski C, Nguyen LM, and Sallah S
- Subjects
- Aged, Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic administration & dosage, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols adverse effects, Barium Sulfate administration & dosage, Cisplatin administration & dosage, Combined Modality Therapy adverse effects, Contrast Media administration & dosage, Deglutition Disorders diagnosis, Fluorouracil administration & dosage, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Radiation-Sensitizing Agents administration & dosage, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Texas, Tongue Neoplasms complications, Tongue Neoplasms drug therapy, Tongue Neoplasms radiotherapy, Tonsillar Neoplasms complications, Tonsillar Neoplasms drug therapy, Tonsillar Neoplasms radiotherapy, Treatment Outcome, Deglutition Disorders etiology, Oropharyngeal Neoplasms drug therapy, Oropharyngeal Neoplasms radiotherapy, Respiratory Aspiration etiology
- Abstract
Our aim was to identify risk factors for aspiration following concurrent chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer. 46 patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma underwent concurrent chemoradiation at our institution. All patients underwent modified barium swallow to assess dysphagia severity and to determine the need for continued tube feedings after treatment. Dysphagia severity was graded as 1-7. There were 5 Grade 2, 11 Grade 3, 5 Grade 4, 5 Grade 5, 10 Grade 6 and 10 Grade 7 scores. 25 patients (54%) developed aspiration (5 trace, 20 severe). The aspiration rate for T1-T2 and T3-T4 tumours was 31% and 67%, respectively (p = 0.03). There was no statistical difference in the aspiration rate between the base of the tongue and tonsillar carcinoma (p = 0.23). Despite anatomical organ preservation, most patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma had moderate to severe dysphagia after chemoradiation. Patients with large tumours had a significant risk of developing aspiration following treatment.
- Published
- 2009
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