A 2-Year Follow-Up of Swallowing Function After Radiation Therapy in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Chang Y-C, Chen S-Y, Ting L-L, Peng SS, Wang T-C, Wang T-G. A 2-year follow-up of swallowing function after radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.ObjectiveTo evaluate over a 2-year period the serial swallowing function of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after completing radiotherapy (RT).DesignProspective longitudinal follow-up.SettingUniversity hospital.ParticipantsPatients with NPC (N=76) referred for RT: 53 of them at 1 year after RT, and 23 at 2 years after RT.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresParticipants completed a questionnaire and had a video-recorded fluoroscopic swallowing study before RT and 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after RT.ResultsThe highest incidence of dysphagia symptoms and retropharyngeal soft tissue swelling occurred in the first month after RT and decreased over time. Pharyngeal transit time was prolonged continuously up to 1 year after RT. Epiglottic vallecular stasis and pharyngeal mucosal coating were worst in the first month after RT and stable afterwards. Aspiration was uncommon during the first 2 years after RT.ConclusionsAt a 2-year follow-up after RT, patients with NPC had a progressively increasing pharyngeal transit time, although the subjectively identified symptoms of dysphagia decreased after the first month after RT.