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Background The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the swallowing performance of patients with head and neck cancer treated with parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods Sixty-two patients were recruited. Data were collected before and up to 12 months after treatment. Measures included the Performance Status Scale for head and neck cancer (PSS-HN Normalcy of Diet and Eating in Public subscales), tube feeding status, and 100 mL water swallow test (WST) volume and capacity scores. Results There was a significant reduction in PSS-HN and WST scores from baseline to 3 months ( p < .001). Significant improvements were observed up to 12 months on the PSS-HN. Swallowing volume and capacity scores recovered but did not reach statistical significance. Tube feeding was not required in 47% of the patients. Conclusion IMRT significantly impacts on swallowing performance, although there is a trend for improvement up to 12 months after treatment. Our data support a case-by-case approach to tube feeding. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1436-E1444, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives: Swallowing can be significantly affected during and following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). The purpose of this study was to understand: (1) the trajectory of swallowing recovery following parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and (2) overall physical and social-emotional wellbeing and how patients prioritise swallowing following treatment. Materials and methods: Sixty-one HNC patients completed questionnaires as part of a prospective study exploring patient-reported swallowing outcomes following parotid-sparing IMRT. Participants were asked to complete the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QoL) v.04 before treatment and 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Given the rise in human papilloma virus (HPV) and associated oropharyngeal cancers, we completed a sub analysis of the data in those participants. Results: There was a significant reduction in the MDADI composite scores 3 months after completion of treatment. Improvements were observed by 12 months, however, scores did not recover to baseline. The recovery in physical function was limited in comparison to social-emotional recovery at 12 months. When oropharyngeal cancer scores were analysed, there was not a substantial difference to the whole group results. There was a shift in priorities following treatment. Swallowing was highlighted as a concern by 44% of HNC patients up to 12 months after treatment with swallowing-related factors (saliva, taste and chewing) rated highly. Conclusions: Patient reported swallowing outcomes were significantly affected from baseline to all follow-up time points and remained a priority concern at 12 months following treatment. Overall social-emotional functioning does improve, suggesting that patients have the potential to adapt to their “new normal” following IMRT for HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]