Dose to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor predicts prolonged gastrostomy tube dependence with concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy and chemotherapy for locally-advanced head and neck cancer

IMRT dose to the inferior constrictor correlated with persistent dysphagia requiring prolonged PEG use. Maintaining mean inferior constrictor dose to ⩽41 Gy and V40 to ⩽41% may help minimize gastrostomy tube dependence.