title: Comparison of swallowing function after intensity-modulated radiation therapy and conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is hoped to protect structures important for swallow function. We compared posttreatment swallow function in 7 pairs of patients with head and neck cancer treated with either IMRT or conventional radiotherapy (RT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were matched on tumor characteristics. Swallowing function was evaluated with the modified barium swallow procedure pretreatment and at 3 and 6 months postcancer treatment completion. Swallows were analyzed for bolus transit times, bolus residues, laryngeal closure (LAC) duration, cricopharyngeal opening (CPO) duration, and oropharyngeal swallow efficiency (OPSE). Data were analyzed using multifactor repeated measures analysis of variance and adjusted for baseline function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main effect of radiation type was significant for all measures on at least 1 bolus type. Patients treated with IMRT demonstrated shorter bolus transit times, less oral and pharyngeal residue, longer LAC, and larger OPSE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients treated with IMRT demonstrated faster, more efficient swallows, and greater airway protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
authors.forename: Barbara Roa
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Pauloski
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Alfred W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Rademaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
authors.forename: Jerilyn A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Logemann
authors.forename: Muveddet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Discekici-Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Bharat B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Mittal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003679:Deglutition / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: conventional radiotherapy; dysphagia; head and neck cancer; intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)