Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer Aiming to Reduce Dysphagia: Early Dose-Effect Relationships for the Swallowing Structures
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Department of Speech Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Purpose: To present initial results of a clinical trial of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) aiming to spare the swallowing structures whose dysfunction after chemoradiation is a likely cause of dysphagia and aspiration, without compromising target doses. Methods and Materials: This was a prospective, longitudinal study of 36 patients with Stage III-IV oropharyngeal (31) or nasopharyngeal (5) cancer. Definitive chemo-IMRT spared salivary glands and swallowing structures: pharyngeal constrictors (PC), glottic and supraglottic larynx (GSL), and esophagus. Lateral but not medial retropharyngeal nodes were considered at risk. Dysphagia endpoints included objective swallowing dysfunction (videofluoroscopy), and both patient-reported and observer-rated scores. Correlations between doses and changes in these endpoints from pre-therapy to 3 months after therapy were assessed. Results: Significant correlations were observed between videofluoroscopy-based aspirations and the mean doses to the PC and GSL, as well as the partial volumes of these structures receiving 50-65 Gy; the highest correlations were associated with doses to the superior PC (p = 0.005). All patients with aspirations received mean PC doses >60 Gy or PC V{sub 65} >50%, and GSL V{sub 50} >50%. Reduced laryngeal elevation and epiglottic inversion were correlated with mean PC and GSL doses (p < 0.01). All 3 patients with strictures had PC V{sub 70} >50%. Worsening patient-reported liquid swallowing was correlated with mean PC (p = 0.05) and esophageal (p 0.02) doses. Only mean PC doses were correlated with worsening patient-reported solid swallowing (p = 0.04) and observer-rated swallowing scores (p = 0.04). Conclusions: These dose-volume-effect relationships provide initial IMRT optimization goals and motivate further efforts to reduce swallowing structures doses to reduce dysphagia and aspiration.
- OSTI ID:
- 20953583
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 68, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.02.049; PII: S0360-3016(07)00547-0; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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