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Clinical Profile and Referral Pathways in Late Radiation-Associated Dysphagia (Late-RAD): A Consecutive Case Series
  • +2
  • Diane Sellstrom,
  • James O'Hara,
  • Catherine Haighton,
  • Tracy Finch,
  • Joanne Patterson
Diane Sellstrom
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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James O'Hara
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Catherine Haighton
Northumbria University Department of Social Work Education and Community Wellbeing
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Tracy Finch
Northumbria University Department of Nursing Midwifery and Health
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Joanne Patterson
University of Liverpool
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Abstract

Dysphagia as a late side-effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) may not manifest until many years post-treatment (1). Insidious deterioration in swallowing function can significantly impact emotional and physical health. Patients may need enteral feeding support and experience chest co-morbidities which can be fatal (2). Not all patients will develop late-RAD and there is variation in the literature regarding actual prevalence due to heterogeneity in study populations and designs (3). There is also a lack of consensus regarding the definition of ‘late’ but growing acknowledgement that a latency period occurs, where swallowing function is stable before a progressive decline is seen (4). Discharge from surveillance at five years post-treatment has been standard in published recommendations (5). However, there is increasing recognition that this should be extended to allow for appropriate monitoring for the development of delayed side effects (6).
Submitted to Clinical Otolaryngology
02 Jan 2025Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jan 2025Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Jan 20251st Revision Received
23 Jan 2025Submission Checks Completed
23 Jan 2025Assigned to Editor
28 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned