Long-term prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients: Impact on quality of life

Background & aims To determine the prevalence of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. To study the impact of dysphagia on food habits, nutritional status, and quality of life. Methods Retrospective cross-sectional study of 87 head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy from January 2000 through May 2005. Time since surgery was 28.5±17.8 months. A clinical test was used to detect dysphagia. A nutritional assessment was performed in all patients. A questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life. Results Oropharyngeal dysphagia was present in 50.6% of patients, mostly to solid foods (72.4%). Patients with total glossectomy and chemoradiotherapy had the highest rate of dysphagia. Nutritional support was necessary in 57.1% of patients. Malnutrition was present in 20.3% of patients, mainly marasmus (81%). Fifty-one percent of patients reported a decrease in their quality of life due to dysphagia. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and coadjuvant treatment. This problem negatively affects their quality of life. It is important that nutritional surveillance be provided to detect it and to prevent malnutrition.