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Deglutition disorders as a consequence of head and neck cancer therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to estimate the frequency of deglutition disorders in patients pre- and post-treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Search strategies were developed for the following databases: LILACS, PubMed, SpeechBITE, LIVIVO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Additionally, the gray literature was searched using Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and ProQuest. Only studies that conducted an evaluation of deglutition before and after cancer treatment and had sufficient quantitative data were included. We conducted a proportion of random effects meta-analysis using R statistical software.

Results

Seventeen studies were included. Aspiration showed a high frequency in the period less than 3 months post-treatment, with 28.6% (total sample = 229). Penetration of fluids above the vocal folds and reduced laryngeal elevation were more frequent in the period less than 6 months post-treatment.

Conclusion

The frequency of deglutition disorders and its complications, such as aspiration, appears to be higher in the immediate to 6-month post-treatment period in patients with HNC. The parameter pharyngeal residue continued to increase through the period analyzed.

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Acknowledgments

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Isabela Porto de Toledo is supported by CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development). Letícia Lopes Quirino Pantoja was supported by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel), Ministry of Education, Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

    Isabela Porto de Toledo, Leticia Lopes Quirino Pantoja, Daniele Xavier Assad & Eliete Neves Silva Guerra

  2. Brazilian Centre for Evidence-Based Research, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

    Isabela Porto de Toledo & Graziela De Luca Canto

  3. Department of Speech-Language Therapy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

    Karen Fontes Luchesi

  4. Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasília, Brazil

    Daniele Xavier Assad

  5. Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil

    Graziela De Luca Canto

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  1. Isabela Porto de Toledo
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Correspondence to Isabela Porto de Toledo.

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Porto de Toledo, I., Pantoja, L.L.Q., Luchesi, K.F. et al. Deglutition disorders as a consequence of head and neck cancer therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer 27, 3681–3700 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04920-z

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