Dysphagia After Chemoradiotherapy for Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Dose–Effect Relationships for the Swallowing Structures

Purpose To evaluate late dysphagia after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, and to examine its correlation with clinical and dosimetric parameters. Methods and Materials Consecutive patients, treated with radiotherapy (70–72 Gy) and concomitant chemotherapy (cisplatinum 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) between 2004 and 2007, were examined. Swallowing was evaluated by four quality-of-life questionnaires: EORTC C30 and H&N35, the Performance Status Scale of List, and the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory. Clinical and dosimetric parameters were correlated with late dysphagia. Results A total of 53 disease-free patients were evaluated; mean follow-up was 20.4 months (range, 6–45 months). The volume of the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle receiving ≥50 Gy ( p = 0.04), the mean dose to this structure ( p = 0.02) and to the supraglottic larynx ( p = 0.04) were significantly associated with late swallowing problems at univariate analysis, along with tumor localization ( p = 0.008), T-classification ( p = 0.02), and pretreatment swallowing problems ( p = 0.01). Only this last factor significantly correlated with late dysphagia at multivariate analysis. Conclusion These findings motivate further efforts to reduce the dose to the swallowing structures, especially to the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and the larynx. However, clinical parameters are also important and should be included in future prospective trials.