Radiotherapy for cutaneous head and neck cancer and parotid tumours: a prospective investigation of treatment-related acute swallowing and toxicity patterns

Abstract

Patients in these subgroups of HNC experienced minimal treatment-related toxicity during radiotherapy. As such, the need for supportive symptom management by SP is low. Models that involve interdisciplinary surveillance of symptoms with referral to SP only when required may be best suited for these individuals to ensure issues are identified whilst minimising patient burden created by unnecessary routine SP appointments.

A prospective study monitoring carer distress during (chemo)radiotherapy for head and neck cancer via an electronic platform

“…In the current study, the prevalence of severe distress was noted to gradually increase throughout the course of patient treatment, with the highest severity of distress (DT > 8–10) being recorded at week 7 of treatment for both general and mealtime‐specific distress. This peak in prevalence of severe distress aligns with the final week of radiotherapy and final cycle of chemotherapy and has been associated with the peak of severe acute toxicity 25 . It is also possible that the increase in severe carer distress was also impacted by carers feeling underprepared for post‐treatment care duties when contact with the MDT commonly reduces.…”

“…This peak in prevalence of severe distress aligns with the final week of radiotherapy and final cycle of chemotherapy and has been associated with the peak of severe acute toxicity. 25 It is also possible that the increase in severe carer distress was also impacted by carers feeling underprepared for post-treatment care duties when contact with the MDT commonly reduces. Research has highlighted that carers often feel unprepared for the persistent side-effects of dysphagia post-treatment and for undertaking HNC-specific care tasks, such as tracheostomy care and meal preparation.…”

Implementing flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow screening within annual cancer surveillance appointments to monitor for late‐stage radiation‐induced dysphagia: A feasibility study

“…2 For a proportion of patients, symptom severity will largely resolve within a few months of treatment completion. 1,3 However, for symptoms which remain at 3 months post treatment and beyond, such as dysgeusia and xerostomia, many patients compensate with specific swallowing or mealtime strategies in the long term. 3 While acute stage dysphagia is a well-recognized consequence of HNC treatment, chronic, late-stage radiation-induced dysphagia is increasingly being recognized as an additional significant, and difficult to manage, sequela of radiotherapy intervention.…”

“…Mucositis, dysphagia, dysgeusia, thick secretions, trismus, odynophagia, and reduced appetite are all early symptoms experienced by patients, 1 which can impact on an individual's ability to maintain adequate oral intake 2 . For a proportion of patients, symptom severity will largely resolve within a few months of treatment completion 1,3 . However, for symptoms which remain at 3 months post treatment and beyond, such as dysgeusia and xerostomia, many patients compensate with specific swallowing or mealtime strategies in the long term 3 …”

“…The acute, short‐term effects of radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) on swallowing function are well documented. Mucositis, dysphagia, dysgeusia, thick secretions, trismus, odynophagia, and reduced appetite are all early symptoms experienced by patients, 1 which can impact on an individual's ability to maintain adequate oral intake 2 . For a proportion of patients, symptom severity will largely resolve within a few months of treatment completion 1,3 .…”