SWALLOWING FUNCTION FOLLOWING MULTISPECIALTY ORGAN PRESERVATION TREATMENT OF ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

Swallowing function was studied in twenty-two patients before, during and after multispecialty (surgical, medical, radiation oncology) organ preservation treatment of advanced pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma . Video-fluorographic oropharyngeal motility (OPM) studies were perfor med at three stages during treatment. Swallowing function was rated ac cording to the Swallowing Performance Status Scale (SPSS). Swallowing function significantly declined after surgery compared to presurgical status but improved significantly after post-surgical concomitant chem oradiotherapy. Swallowing function without need for enteral feeding su pport was maintained after completion of treatment in 18 of 22 patient s (82%). The findings support the need for systematic evaluation of sw allowing function throughout the treatment process for patients at ris k for pharyngeal dysphagia.