Dysphagia after radiotherapy: state of the art and prevention.

Abstract

Adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery or exclusive radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy is a valuable treatment option in the great majority of patients with head and neck cancer. Recent technical progress in radiotherapy has resulted in a decreased incidence of xerostomia. Another common toxicity of radiotherapy is dysphagia, which alters the nutritional status and quality of life of patients in remission. The objective of this review is to describe the physiology of swallowing function, the pathophysiology of radiation-induced dysphagia and the various strategies currently available to prevent this complication.

• Authors: S Servagi-Vernat, D Ali, C Roubieu, C Durdux, O Laccourreye, P Giraud
• Journal: European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases (Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis) Vol. 132 Issue 1 Pg. 25-9 (Feb 2015) ISSN: 1879-730X [Electronic] France
• PMID: 24924114 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Deglutition (physiology)
• Deglutition Disorders (etiology, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Radiotherapy (adverse effects)