A 2-year follow-up of swallowing function after radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Yeun Chung Chang, Ssu Yuan Chen, Lai Lei Ting, Steven Sin Fong Peng, Teh Chen Wang, Tyng Guey Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate over a 2-year period the serial swallowing function of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after completing radiotherapy (RT). Design: Prospective longitudinal follow-up. Setting: University hospital. Participants: Patients with NPC (N=76) referred for RT: 53 of them at 1 year after RT, and 23 at 2 years after RT. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed a questionnaire and had a video-recorded fluoroscopic swallowing study before RT and 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after RT. Results: The highest incidence of dysphagia symptoms and retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling occurred in the first month after RT and decreased over time. Pharyngeal transit time was prolonged continuously up to 1 year after RT. Epiglottic vallecular stasis and pharyngeal mucosal coating were worst in the first month after RT and stable afterwards. Aspiration was uncommon during the first 2 years after RT. Conclusions: At a 2-year follow-up after RT, patients with NPC had a progressively increasing pharyngeal transit time, although the subjectively identified symptoms of dysphagia decreased after the first month after RT.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1814-1819
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume92
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1 2011

Keywords

  • Deglutition disorders
  • Nasopharyngeal neoplasma carcinoma
  • Radiation
  • Rehabilitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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