Swallowing Function Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Followed by a Long-Term Dysphagia Surveillance Protocol.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate swallow outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors enrolled in a long-term dysphagia surveillance protocol following curative intent radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of videofluoroscopic swallow studies from 2015 to 2023 in HNC patients treated with RT. Swallow kinematics and function were assessed at baseline, 0-1, 1-2, 2-5, and 5+ years post-RT. Logistic regression models assessed kinematic deviations beyond 2SD from normative and dichotomized outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 638 patients with 1167 VFSS, 14.6% were 2 years post-RT, primarily oral cavity (29.6%) and oropharyngeal (46.7%) cancers treated with adjuvant (chemo) RT (53.3%). At 2 years, 51.3% exhibited abnormal hyolaryngeal movement, 27.5% had pharyngeal contraction abnormalities, and 9.0% had impaired pharyngoesophageal opening. Unsafe swallow was seen in 51.6% with moderate-to-profound dysphagia in 45%.

CONCLUSION

Dysphagia surveillance revealed significant swallowing impairments in HNC survivors, with unsafe swallowing prevalent in over half of cases 2 years post-RT.