Swallowing and Communication Outcomes Post Chemoradiotherapy for Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Substudy of TROG 12.01

Hughes, R; Corry, J; Rischin, D; Bressel, M; Kenny, L; Lehn, B; Wishart, L; Minslow, LA; Frowen, J

Author(s): Hughes, R; Corry, J; Rischin, D; Bressel, M; Kenny, L; Lehn, B; Wishart, L; Minslow, LA; Frowen, J;
Details: Publication Year 2025-12,Volume 47,Issue #12,Page 3310-3320
Journal Title: Head & Neck
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This substudy aimed to assess swallow and communication outcomes in patients undergoing treatment for low-risk human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Videofluoroscopy swallowing studies (VFSS) were conducted pre-treatment, 12 and 24 months post treatment, alongside quality of life and symptom severity measures for patients receiving 70Gy radiotherapy with either weekly cisplatin or cetuximab. RESULTS: Of 126 patients who underwent VFSS, there were no differences in swallowing outcomes between cisplatin and cetuximab arms. VFSS outcomes were worst at 12 months and improved by 24 months, with low aspiration rates and high swallow function at all timepoints. Older age, higher T-stage, and base of tongue tumors (versus tonsil) were associated with poorer swallowing. Clinician-and patient-reported speech and voice problems were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing was safe and efficient, and communication highly intelligible at 24 months post treatment. Both 'objective' and patient-reported measures are important to understand the impact of new treatment approaches on swallowing-related outcomes.
Publisher: Wiley
Keywords: Humans; *Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy/virology/pathology; Male; Female; *Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects/methods; Middle Aged; Aged; *Deglutition Disorders/etiology; Cisplatin/therapeutic use/administration & dosage; *Papillomavirus Infections/complications/therapy; *Deglutition/physiology; Cetuximab/therapeutic use/administration & dosage; *Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy/virology/pathology; Quality of Life; Fluoroscopy; Treatment Outcome; Adult; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; dysphagia; head and neck cancer; patient reported outcomes; radiotherapy; videofluoroscopy
Department(s): Nutrition and Speech Pathology; Medical Oncology; Biostatistics and Clinical Trials
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.28245
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-08-22 08:45:16

Last Modified: 2026-01-08 02:25:12