title: Dysphagia after definitive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Correlation of dose-volume parameters of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysphagia is a complication of head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). We analysed frequency and severity of swallowing dysfunction and correlated these findings with dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 patients treated by radical RT were enrolled. DVHs of constrictor muscles were correlated with acute and late dysphagia and with the items of three quality of life questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean dose to superior and middle constrictor muscles (SCM, MCM), partial volume of SCM and MCM receiving a dose ≥ 50 Gy dose to the whole constrictor muscles ≥ 60 Gy and tumour location were associated to late dysphagia at univariate analysis. Mean dose to the MCM was the only statistically significant predictor of late dysphagia at the multivariable analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows a significant relationship between long-term dysphagia and mean doses to SCM, MCM, whole constrictor muscles, and oropharyngeal tumour. This finding suggests a potential advantage in reducing the RT dose to swallowing structures to avoid severe dysphagia.
authors: Radiotherapy, University Hospital "Maggiore della Carità", via Solaroli, 17, 28100, Novara, Italy.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Deantonio
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Masini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Brambilla
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pia
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Krengli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015182:Lymphatic Irradiation / Q000379:methods; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061206:Neoplasm Micrometastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires