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Clinical Profile and Referral Pathways in Late Radiation‐Associated Dysphagia (Late‐ RAD ): A Consecutive Case Series

Year: 2025

Type: article

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).

Source: Clinical Otolaryngology

DOI: 10.1111/coa.14319

Authors: Diane Sellstrom, James O'Hara, Catherine Haighton, Tracy Finch, Joanne M. Patterson

Institutions: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, University of Liverpool

Language: English

Topic: Dysphagia Assessment and Management

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,520