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. 2019 Jan 25;20(1):91-96.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.1.91.

Effect of Induction Chemotherapy on Swallowing in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Juliana Portas  1 , Daniela Corrêa, Débora Queija, Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes, Luciano de Souza Viana, André Lopes Carvalho
Affiliations

Effect of Induction Chemotherapy on Swallowing in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Juliana Portas et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of induction chemotherapy on swallowing and swallowing-related quality of life of patients with oropharyngeal, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Study design: Prospective study of 33 patients with locally advanced tumors who were eligible for treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. A multidimensional assessment of swallowing was performed using the following tools: (1) Clinical analysis, numerical scale for general pain and painful swallowing, American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Functional Communication Measures (FCM) swallowing assessment scales, (2) assessment of Swallowing-Related Quality of Life (The MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory - MDADI), and (3) swallowing videofluoroscopy. Results: There was a reduction in general pain scale (p=0.021), and quality of life (emotional, functional and physical) improved from average limitation (score of 61-80) to minimal limitation (81-100) after induction chemotherapy. According to the swallowing videofluoroscopy results, 26 (78.7%) of the patients had some degree of dysphagia pre-treatment, which decreased to 21 (63.6%) after induction. Conclusion: Our results suggest that induction chemotherapy improves numerous aspects of swallowing and has a positive impact on the quality of life of pre-chemoradiotherapy patients.

Keywords: Swallow; quality of life; induction chemotherapy; head and neck cancer.

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