Background:
Radiation-induced dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and a lower quality-of-life. Maintaining oral intake during radiotherapy is linked with better long-term swallowing outcomes. However there is limited research on swallowing function in the immediate post-treatment period.
Methods:
We retrospectively analysed records of 70 patients treated between 2022- 23 at a single Radiation Oncology centre. The measure of interest was the Normalcy of Diet score from the Performance Status Scales for Head and Neck Cancer administered at 1- 3 months post-radiotherapy. Data including age, tumour site, disease staging, treatment modalities and tube feeding status is also analysed. Patients who were NPO prior to commencing radiotherapy were excluded.
Results:
97.1% of patients had some form of oral intake. 74.3% scored 50 or above, indicating good swallowing performance. Patients who underwent adjuvant treatment had lower scores overall compared to patients who had primary radiotherapy.
Conclusion:
This analysis suggests that the majority of radiotherapy patients may be expected to maintain or resume oral intake between 1-3 months post treatment and that a high proportion of patients can manage solid diet. Further research exploring the variables that influence recovery timings for oral intake is warranted.
Eimear Hannigan 1 , Michelle Conheady 1 , Ruth Mulcahy 1 , Sile Murphy 1 , Teresa Hanevy 1
1 Speech and Language Therapy Department, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork