Prospective Evaluation of Swallowing Symptoms in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharynx Cancer

Dysphagia (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

To demonstrate that the lack of significant swallowing-related symptoms in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is attributable to smaller mucosal primaries. A validated dysphagia symptom questionnaire and eating assessment tool was prospectively provided to patients presenting with untreated human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer at the University of Maryland from July 2017 to December 2018. A 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was completed by each patient prior to intervention. All EAT-10 data were collected prospectively. Patient demographic and oncologic characteristics were also obtained. Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled and included in the study. This study cohort included 66 (94%) male patients. Sixty (86%) of patients were Caucasian. The mean EAT-10 score was 3.77 (95% CI 2.04, 5.50). Fifty-two (74.3%) patients presented with normal swallowing (EAT-10 scores less than 3). Spearman correlation indicated there was a significant positive association between tumor size and EAT-10 score (r(68) = 0.429, p < 0.005), with larger tumors associated with increased swallowing-related symptoms. The majority of patients presenting with HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma do not report any swallowing difficulties. Dysphagia-related symptoms are associated with large size tumors when they do occur.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 16 S. Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Julian D. Amin, Kimberly A. Weir & Kyle M. Hatten

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Timothy Rodriggs

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama At Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA

    James W. Snider

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  1. Julian D. Amin
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  2. Timothy Rodriggs
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  3. Kimberly A. Weir
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Correspondence to Julian D. Amin.

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Amin, J.D., Rodriggs, T., Weir, K.A. et al. Prospective Evaluation of Swallowing Symptoms in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharynx Cancer. Dysphagia (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10249-9

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Keywords

  • Human papillomavirus
  • Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
  • EAT-10
  • Dysphagia