Reducing posttreatment dysphagia: Support for the relationship between radiation dose to the pharyngeal constrictors and swallowing outcomes.

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study used prospective swallowing data to establish the following: (1) whether doses to the pharyngeal constrictor muscles (PCMs) were significantly associated with swallowing outcomes; and (2) a mean dose constraint to aim for in intensity modulated radiation therapy planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The PCMs were contoured and radiation dose data obtained for 55 patients with head and neck cancer. Associations between radiation dose and percentage of pharyngeal residue, penetration-aspiration and activity limitation measured at 6 months posttreatment were analyzed. Pretreatment swallowing function, tumor site, T classification, and chemotherapy were accounted for in multivaria..