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Patient‐reported swallowing function after treatment for early‐stage oropharyngeal carcinoma: Population‐based study
Author(s) -
Karsten Rebecca T.,
Brekel Michiel W.M.,
Smeele Ludi E.,
Navran Arash,
Leary Sam,
Ingarfield Kate,
Pawlita Michael,
Waterboer Tim,
Thomas Steve J.,
Ness Andy R.
Publication year - 2020
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.26131
Subject(s) - swallowing , medicine , stage (stratigraphy) , radiation therapy , surgery , head and neck cancer , paleontology , biology
Background Single‐modality treatment (surgery or radiotherapy [RT]) is a curative treatment option for early‐stage oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) with comparable (excellent) oncological outcomes. This study aimed to compare self‐reported swallowing function. Methods Participants with a T1‐2N0‐2bM0 OPC who were offered single‐modality treatment and were recruited to the Head and Neck 5000 study were included. Prospectively collected self‐reported swallowing function was compared between surgery and RT. Results Those offered RT (n = 150) had less favorable baseline characteristics than those offered surgery (n = 150). At 12‐month follow up, RT participants reported more swallowing problems (35% vs 23%, RR 1.3; 95% CI 0.8‐2.3, P = .277) in models adjusted for baseline characteristics. In those allocated to surgery who received adjuvant therapy (n = 78, 52%), the proportion with swallowing problems was similar to those allocated to RT alone. Conclusions Participants offered surgery alone had similar mortality but improved swallowing, although this was not statistically significant. However, over half of participants offered surgery alone received surgery and adjuvant therapy.