Dysphagia and trismus after concomitant chemo-Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (chemo-IMRT) in advanced head and neck cancer; dose-effect relationships for swallowing and mastication structures

L. van der Molen, W.D. Heemsbergen, R. de Jong, M.A. van Rossum, L.E. Smeele, C.R.N. Rasch, F.J.M. Hilgers

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background and purpose:
Prospective assessment of dysphagia and trismus in chemo-IMRT head and neck cancer patients in relation to dose-parameters of structures involved in swallowing and mastication.
Material and methods:
Assessment of 55 patients before, 10-weeks (N=49) and 1-year post-treatment (N=37). Calculation of dose-volume parameters for swallowing (inferior (IC), middle (MC), and superior constrictors (SC)), and mastication structures (e.g. masseter). Investigation of relationships between dose-parameters and endpoints for swallowing problems (videofluoroscopy-based laryngeal Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and study-specific structured questionnaire) and limited mouth-opening (measurements and questionnaire), taking into account baseline scores.
Results:
At 10-weeks, volume of IC receiving ≥60 Gy (V60) and mean dose IC were significant predictors for PAS. One-year post-treatment, reported problems with swallowing solids were significantly related to masseter dose-parameters (mean, V20, V40 and V60) and an inverse relationship (lower dose related to a higher probability) was observed for V60 of the IC. Dose-parameters of masseter and pterygoid muscles were significant predictors of trismus at 10-weeks (mean, V20, and V40). At 1-year, dose-parameters of all mastication structures were strong predictors for subjective mouth-opening problems (mean, max, V20, V40, and V60).
Conclusions:
Dose-effect relationships exist for dysphagia and trismus. Therefore treatment plans should be optimized to avoid these side effects.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)364-369
Number of pages6
JournalRadiotherapy and Oncology
Volume106
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013

Bibliographical note

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Radiotherapy and oncology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Radiotherapy and Oncology, Volume 106, Issue 3, March 2013, Pages 364-369. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2013.03.005. - With supplementary tables.

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