Dysphagia Rehabilitation Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients With Radiation Associated Dysphagia: Does Time Since (Chemo)radiation Matter?

BACKGROUND

Since radiation-associated dysphagia may evolve in the months to years following (chemo)radiotherapy (C/RT), it is important to determine whether swallowing-related outcomes vary according to the time elapsed since cancer treatment. This may help to determine the time window in which a patient might benefit most from dysphagia rehabilitation.

METHODS

Fifty-four patients were stratified into three groups based on the time since completion of the C/RT: < 1 year; 1-5 years; > 5 years post-C/RT. Differences in swallowing-related outcomes were compared at baseline and after 8 weeks of swallowing rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Swallowing-related outcomes were significantly worse at baseline in patients who were more than 5 years post-C/RT compared to those less than 5 years post-C/RT. Nevertheless, these patients still show significant and comparable improvements in swallowing-related outcomes after 8 weeks of swallowing rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although patients more than 5 years post-C/RT exhibited worse swallowing-related outcomes compared to those less than 5 years post-C/RT, these patients remain viable candidates for swallowing rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ISRCTN57028065.