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Risk of swallowing‐related chest infections in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Xiong Jiaqing,
Krishnaswamy Gita,
Raynor Sharon,
Loh Kwok Seng,
Kwa Andrea Lay Hoon,
Lim Chwee Ming
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24296
Subject(s) - medicine , dysphagia , radiation therapy , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , chemoradiotherapy , swallowing , complication , head and neck cancer , intensive care unit , retrospective cohort study , stage (stratigraphy) , surgery , oncology , paleontology , biology
Background Pulmonary complications secondary to dysphagia may be encountered in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to identify patients with NPC at risk of developing swallowing‐related chest infections (SRCIs). Methods Retrospective chart review was performed on 217 patients with stage I to IVB NPC treated definitively with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Results Twenty‐six patients (12.0%) developed SRCIs; 4 of these patients (15.3%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 9 (34.6%) died of the complication. The median time interval between completions of radiotherapy to the development of SRCIs was 24.5 months. Advanced age, recurrent disease, and concurrent chemoradiotherapy were significantly associated with the development of SRCIs in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion SRCI is a common and potentially fatal complication for postirradiated patients with NPC. Advanced age, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and recurrent cancer were strong risk factors for postirradiated patients with NPC to develop SRCIs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E1660–E1665, 2016