Helical intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective investigation of acute swallowing and toxicity patterns

Background Conformal radiotherapy modalities may minimize treatment toxicities. The purpose of this study was to document the extent and timing of dysphagia and related toxicities during helical intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with chemotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Head & neck 2018-09, Vol.40 (9), p.1955-1966
Main Authors: Moroney, Laura B., Helios, Jennifer, Ward, Elizabeth C., Crombie, Jane, Pelecanos, Anita, Burns, Clare L., Spurgin, Ann‐Louise, Blake, Claire, Kenny, Lizbeth, Chua, Benjamin, Hughes, Brett G. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute toxicity
Chemotherapy
Dysphagia
Head & neck cancer
Head and neck
helical tomotherapy
intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Mucositis
oropharyngeal cancer
Patients
Radiation therapy
Saliva
Squamous cell carcinoma
Swallowing
Taste disorders
Terminology
Throat cancer
toxicity
Tumors
Xerostomia
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Summary:Background Conformal radiotherapy modalities may minimize treatment toxicities. The purpose of this study was to document the extent and timing of dysphagia and related toxicities during helical intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with chemotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods We conducted a prospective study of 76 patients with oropharyngeal SCC undergoing helical IMRT with chemotherapy. Dysphagia and acute toxicity data were collected weekly during treatment and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks posttreatment using the Functional Oral Intake Scale, diet descriptors, and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. Results Patients experienced maximum incidence of grade 3 dysphagia (61%), mucositis (30%), and thick saliva (38%), with grade 2 xerostomia (87%) and dysgeusia (97%). Only 14.5% were nil‐by‐mouth. Symptoms peaked in week 7 and improved thereafter. Grade 3 dysphagia was twice as common for T3 to T4 tumors compared with T2. Conclusion Results confirm that patients with oropharyngeal SCC undergoing helical IMRT with chemotherapy continue to experience incidences of acute toxicities comparable with other conformal techniques, and need supportive cares.
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.25182