Dysphagia in the Aging Head and Neck Cancer Population

This article reviews the types of swallow impairment and side effects seen after head and neck cancer treatment. Treatments include surgery, specifically, oral and oropharyngeal cancer surgery, partial laryngectomy, total laryngectomy, and primary chemoradiotherapy. Normal changes to the swallowing mechanism with age are discussed, including potential negative effects on swallowing and outcomes. Other variables that can have an impact on swallow function and quality of life in older head and neck cancer patients are discussed including sensory changes, depression, and presence of a partner.

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1042 Head and neck cancer patient perspectivesregarding pain, cosmesis, swallow function, voice quality and overall quality of life

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics ◽

10.1016/s0360-3016(97)85554-x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 265 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vinona Bhatia ◽

Paul M. Harari ◽

Sandra P. Thompson ◽

Charles N. Ford ◽

Gregory K. Hartig

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Cancer Patient ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Voice Quality ◽

Neck Cancer Patient ◽

Swallow Function

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Systematic Review of Validated Quality of Life and Swallow Outcomes after Transoral Robotic Surgery

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599819844755 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 161 (4) ◽

pp. 561-567 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alexa Castellano ◽

Arun Sharma

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Robotic Surgery ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Case Series ◽

Transoral Robotic Surgery ◽

Swallow Function ◽

Swallowing Outcomes

Objective To systematically review the available evidence on the effects of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) on the posttreatment quality of life (QOL) and swallow function of patients with head and neck cancer. Data Sources PubMed and Ovid electronic databases were searched from inception to July 6, 2016. Specific database functions were applied to maximize the search. Review Methods Articles in the database were reviewed for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers according to predetermined eligibility criteria. The references of relevant articles were then hand-searched to identify additional manuscripts. For included articles, the study characteristics and relevant data were extracted. Results Of 103 articles screened, 20 reporting validated measures of QOL and/or swallow outcomes for 659 patients were eligible for inclusion. Fourteen were observational studies or case series and did not compare the TORS group with another intervention. Two were prospective nonrandomized clinical trials that compared outcomes between TORS and primary chemoradiation. Four were cohort studies comparing TORS with other treatment approaches and modalities, including open surgical approaches and transoral laser microsurgery. Overall, most patients who underwent TORS ± adjuvant therapy reported a return to baseline QOL and swallow function by 6 to 12 months posttreatment. Several studies demonstrated superior QOL and swallowing outcomes when compared with primary chemoradiation or open approaches. Conclusions Available evidence suggests that patients who undergo TORS for head and neck cancer have good QOL and swallowing outcomes after treatment, but outcomes are dependent on baseline function, T stage, and adjuvant treatment status.

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