title: [Swallowing after non-surgical treatment (radiation therapy / radiochemotherapy protocol) of laryngeal cancer].
abstract: Radiation therapy and radiochemotherapy protocols can cause swallowing difficulties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate swallowing in patients undergoing radiation therapy and radiochemotherapy protocol only for the treatment of laryngeal tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of 20 patients, with a mean age of 62 years, at the end of oncological therapy. Six patients (30%) underwent radiation therapy, and 14 patients (70%) underwent combined therapy. The mean time between treatment and an evaluation of swallowing was 8.5 months. Videofluoroscopy was done to assess the preparatory, oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had only an oral diet. Normal swallowing was present in only 25% of patients. The swallowing videofluoroscopic examination identified the following changes: bolus formation (85%), bolus ejection (60%), oral cavity stasis (55%), changes in the onset of the pharyngeal phase (100%), decreased laryngeal elevation (65%), and hypopharyngeal stasis (80%). Laryngeal penetration was observed in 25% of the cases; 40% presented tracheal aspiration. The grade of penetration/aspiration was mild in 60% of cases. Aspiration was silent in 35% of patients. Although 75% of patients had dysphagia, only 25% complained of swallowing difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with laryngeal cancer that underwent radiation therapy/combined treatment can present changes in all swallowing phases, or may be asymptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Fonoaudióloga clínica, Oncologia pela Fundação Antonio Prudente, São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Portas
authors.forename: Claudia Pereira
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Socci
authors.forename: Eliana Perissato
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Scian
authors.forename: Débora Dos Santos
authors.initials: Ddos S
authors.lastname: Queija
authors.forename: Alessandra Sampaio
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Rogério Aparecido
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dedivitis
authors.forename: Ana Paula Brandão
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Barros
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index