Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer With Radiation

Launched by NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Dec 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how radiation treatment affects the ability to swallow in patients with head and neck cancer. Swallowing problems are very common in these patients, affecting around 60-75% of them, and can lead to serious issues like malnutrition and a lower quality of life. The researchers want to understand how different doses of radiation impact the muscles used for swallowing and overall nutrition. To do this, they will assess patients before treatment, three months after, and again within a year after treatment.

To be part of this study, participants need to be between 18 and 80 years old and scheduled to receive radiation or chemotherapy alongside radiation. They should be able to take care of themselves independently and must agree to participate by providing written consent. Unfortunately, people who are scheduled for surgery or have certain health conditions that could interfere with the study won't be eligible. Participants can expect to have their swallowing function monitored closely during the study, helping to advance our understanding of these issues in head and neck cancer patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy ;
• • Aged between 18 and 80 years;
• • Able to perform self-care independently (ECOG ≤ 2);
• • All patients provide written informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients scheduled to undergo surgical treatment;
• • Patients with neuromuscular diseases, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease;
• • Patients with other diseases or complications, including heart disease classified as NYHA functional class ≥ 2 with thrombotic conditions, or lung disease classified as Hugh-Jones grade ≥ 4;
• • Patients with psychological disorders that may affect their ability to provide informed consent or comply with the study protocol;
• • Patients who do not consent to undergo high-resolution impedance manometry.