title: Quality of life in swallowing disorders after nonsurgical treatment for head and neck cancer.
abstract: Introduction Radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy can result in severe swallowing disorders with potential risk for aspiration and can negatively impact the patient's quality of life (QOL). Objective To assess swallowing-related QOL in patients who underwent radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Methods We interviewed 110 patients (85 men and 25 women) who had undergone exclusive radiotherapy (25.5%) or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (74.5%) from 6 to 12 months before the study. The Quality of Life in Swallowing Disorders (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire was employed to evaluate dysphagia-related QOL. Results The QOL was reduced in all domains for all patients. The scores were worse among men. There was a relationship between oral cavity as the primary cancer site and the fatigue domain and also between advanced cancer stage and the impact of food selection, communication, and social function domains. Chemoradiotherapy association, the presence of nasogastric tube and tracheotomy, and the persistence of alcoholism and smoking had also a negative effect on the QOL. Conclusions According to the SWAL-QOL questionnaire, the dysphagia-related impact on QOL was observed 6 to 12 months after the treatment ended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marta Halina
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rogerio A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dedivitis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Débora Santos
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Queija
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Irmandade da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo César
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Nascimento
keywords: chemotherapy; deglutition disorders; dysphagia; head and neck neoplasms; quality of life; radiotherapy