Faculty Collaboration Database

Effects of radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy on tongue strength and swallowing in patients with oral cancer. Head Neck 2007 Jul;29(7):632-7

Date

01/19/2007

Pubmed ID

17230558

DOI

10.1002/hed.20577

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-34547443953 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   87 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Oral tongue strength and swallowing ability are reduced in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy for oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

METHODS: Patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer treated with high-dose chemoradiotherapy underwent tongue strength, swallowing, and dietary assessments at pretreatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment. Tongue strength was assessed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Oral and pharyngeal residue was evaluated utilizing videofluoroscopy.

RESULTS: Mean maximum tongue strength dropped a nonsignificant amount immediately after treatment, and then increased significantly at 6- and 12-months posttreatment completion. Analyses were adjusted for patient dropout. Tongue strength was not significantly correlated with swallow observations of percentage oral and pharyngeal residue. Ability to eat various diet consistencies was reduced after treatment but improved over time at a rate similar to changes in oral intake and type of diet.

CONCLUSIONS: Parallel but not significant changes in oral intake, diet, and tongue strength in the first year post chemoradiation therapy need further study in a larger population.

Author List

Lazarus C, Logemann JA, Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Helenowski IB, Vonesh EF, Maccracken E, Mittal BB, Vokes EE, Haraf DJ

Author

Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
Carboplatin
Deglutition
Female
Fluoroscopy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mouth Neoplasms
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
Paclitaxel
Prospective Studies
Tongue
Video Recording