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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 9/2012

01-09-2012 | Original Article

Swallowing, nutrition and patient-rated functional outcomes at 6 months following two non-surgical treatments for T1–T3 oropharyngeal cancer

Authors: Bena Cartmill, Petrea Cornwell, Elizabeth Ward, Wendy Davidson, Sandro Porceddu

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Altered fractionation radiotherapy with concomitant boost (AFRT-CB) may be considered an alternative treatment for patients not appropriate for chemoradiation (CRT). As functional outcomes following AFRT-CB have been minimally reported, this exploratory paper describes the outcomes of patients managed with AFRT-CB or CRT at 6 months post-treatment.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional analysis design, functional outcomes of 14 AFRT-CB and 17 CRT patients with T1–T3 oropharyngeal cancers were explored at 6 months post-treatment. Clinical and instrumental swallow assessments, weight and nutritional status, and the functional impact of treatment were examined.

Results

Inferior outcomes were observed for the CRT patients on the RBHOMS (p = 0.03) which was reflected in diet and fluid restrictions with 18% of the CRT group requiring modified fluids and diets. Although a trend (p = 0.07) was noted for increased lingual deficits and aspiration risk for fluids in the CRT group, no other significant differences were observed. Both groups experienced an average of 10 kg weight loss and reported reduced general and swallowing-related function.

Conclusions

These preliminary data suggest functional outcomes following AFRT-CB and CRT were largely comparable at 6 months post-treatment. Treatment intensification in any form may contribute to impaired function which requires multidimensional intervention. Larger cohort investigations with systematic methodology are needed to further examine these initial findings.
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Metadata
Title
Swallowing, nutrition and patient-rated functional outcomes at 6 months following two non-surgical treatments for T1–T3 oropharyngeal cancer
Authors
Bena Cartmill
Petrea Cornwell
Elizabeth Ward
Wendy Davidson
Sandro Porceddu
Publication date
01-09-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1316-4

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