An evaluation of swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients after cancer treatment

Purpose: Evaluation of swallowing and feeding types are essential in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing function of patients treated for HNC. Methods: One hundred fifty-seven patients with HNC who were referred for swallowing disorder were included. Descriptive information including age, gender, weight, height, diagnosis, and feeding type was recorded. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed to assess swallowing function. Penetration and aspiration severity was determined using the Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS). Results: The mean age was 54.16±12.90 years, of which 66.9% was male. The 23.6% of patients were treated for oropharyngeal cancer, 17.2% for nasopharyngeal cancer, and 59.2% for hypopharyngeal cancer. The 26.75% of patients underwent surgery, and 25.5% received chemoradiotherapy, and 45.9% underwent surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy. The mean PAS score for liquid was 4.96±2.93, and the mean PAS score for pudding was 3.76±3.05 according to the VFSS. While only liquid aspiration was 70.1%, aspiration in liquid and pudding was 37.2%. A significant difference was found between referral and recommended feeding types (p=0.003). No difference was detected in terms of PAS score for liquids, PAS score for pudding, and recommended feeding type according to received treatment types (p>0.05). Conclusion: More than half of the patients had airway aspiration, and their referral feeding type was not appropriate. Therefore, swallowing function should be evaluated in patients with HNC, and appropriate feeding type should be determined in an early period.