Swallowing outcomes after radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma

Objective: To describe swallowing physiology and functional outcomes at select intervals after definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma. We also examined associations among patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and swallowing outcomes. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Patients: This study cohort included 40 patients who underwent definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma (from February 2001 to June 2004). Main Outcome Measures: Modified barium swallow (MBS) studies were performed for 32 patients at 3 test intervals following irradiation: less than 6 months, 6 to 11 months, and 12 or more months. We recorded the presence or absence of aspiration (sensate or silent) , 5 pharyngeal phase disorders, and 2 structural abnormalities. We also recorded pretreatment dysphagia complaints, feeding tube dependency, T classification, disease site, mucositis grade, and radiotherapy schedule with or without chemotherapy. Results: Eighty-four percent of patients (27 of 32) referred for MBS studies after undergoing radiotherapy aspirated; 44% (12 of 27) did so silently. Silent aspiration was more prevalent during MBS studies conducted 1 or more years after radiotherapy. Pharyngeal phase disorders were observed more frequently than structural abnormalities (P < .01). Most patients required a feeding tube (78% [31 of 40]); however, 52% of the tubes (16) were eventually removed. We found no significant association between the occurrence of aspiration and disease site, T classification, treatment regimen, or pretreatment variables (P >.05). Pretreatment and posttreatment levels of feeding tube dependency were significantly associated (P = .03). Patient-reported dysphagia before treatment did not predict posttreatment swallowing outcomes (P > .05). Conclusions: Dysphagia is a common outcome after laryngeal preservation with radiotherapy. Contrary to expectations, few parameters that we measured were significantly associated with swallowing outcomes in our study.