Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy
Introduction: Dysphagia in patients treated with radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma has limited empirical evidence. The aim of this study was to identify specific foods and feeding methods recommended for these patients and to evaluate the anatomical and functional structures most affected by...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
International Network for the Advancement of Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health (INAMPPH)
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AMPPH_2025_157-165.pdf |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850254401440055296 |
|---|---|
| author | Mahmood Bahramizadeh Rezvaneh NAMAZI Yousefi Francesco Ciodaro |
| author_facet | Mahmood Bahramizadeh Rezvaneh NAMAZI Yousefi Francesco Ciodaro |
| author_sort | Mahmood Bahramizadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Dysphagia in patients treated with radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma has limited empirical evidence. The aim of this study was to identify specific foods and feeding methods recommended for these patients and to evaluate the anatomical and functional structures most affected by radiotherapy doses.
Methods: Nine patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, previously treated with Radio- or Radio chemotherapy and not undergoing head and neck surgery, participated in the study. The
patients had undergone either 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and were evaluated using a questionnaire developed by Travalca Cupillo
et al., (2011) an assessment form for adult dysphagic patients, followed by a Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
Results: The study revealed motor deficits primarily in the initial phases of swallowing (oral phase and pharyngeal trigger), with borderline conditions that would have been missed by a screening questionnaire, as patients did not report specific symptoms. Symptoms were even less evident in patients who underwent IMRT instead of 3D-CRT, in patients who lost less weight during radiotherapy, in patients with N0 at diagnosis, and in younger patients.
Discussion and Conclusions: Patients treated with radiotherapy in the head and neck region present with various forms of dysphagia, sometimes silent. The use of proper oral hygiene and appropriate food consistencies can reduce the risk of pulmonary complications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4867c97006c44a194d0c1a605bc4e03 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3034-8803 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | International Network for the Advancement of Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health (INAMPPH) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4867c97006c44a194d0c1a605bc4e032025-08-20T01:57:08ZengInternational Network for the Advancement of Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health (INAMPPH)Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health3034-88032025-08-012315716510.5281/zenodo.1338811Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapyMahmood Bahramizadeh0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4719-938X Rezvaneh NAMAZI Yousefi1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8013-2534Francesco Ciodaro2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3684-2045Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IranResearch Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyIntroduction: Dysphagia in patients treated with radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma has limited empirical evidence. The aim of this study was to identify specific foods and feeding methods recommended for these patients and to evaluate the anatomical and functional structures most affected by radiotherapy doses. Methods: Nine patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, previously treated with Radio- or Radio chemotherapy and not undergoing head and neck surgery, participated in the study. The patients had undergone either 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and were evaluated using a questionnaire developed by Travalca Cupillo et al., (2011) an assessment form for adult dysphagic patients, followed by a Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Results: The study revealed motor deficits primarily in the initial phases of swallowing (oral phase and pharyngeal trigger), with borderline conditions that would have been missed by a screening questionnaire, as patients did not report specific symptoms. Symptoms were even less evident in patients who underwent IMRT instead of 3D-CRT, in patients who lost less weight during radiotherapy, in patients with N0 at diagnosis, and in younger patients. Discussion and Conclusions: Patients treated with radiotherapy in the head and neck region present with various forms of dysphagia, sometimes silent. The use of proper oral hygiene and appropriate food consistencies can reduce the risk of pulmonary complications.https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AMPPH_2025_157-165.pdfdysphagianasopharyngeal carcinomaradiotherapy |
| spellingShingle | Mahmood Bahramizadeh Rezvaneh NAMAZI Yousefi Francesco Ciodaro Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy Advances in Medicine, Psychology, and Public Health dysphagia nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy |
| title | Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| title_full | Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| title_short | Evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| title_sort | evaluation of dysphagia severity in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy |
| topic | dysphagia nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy |
| url | https://ampphealthjournal-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AMPPH_2025_157-165.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mahmoodbahramizadeh evaluationofdysphagiaseverityinpatientswithnasopharyngealcarcinomaundergoingradiotherapy AT rezvanehnamaziyousefi evaluationofdysphagiaseverityinpatientswithnasopharyngealcarcinomaundergoingradiotherapy AT francescociodaro evaluationofdysphagiaseverityinpatientswithnasopharyngealcarcinomaundergoingradiotherapy |