Comparison of Swallowing Function by Systemic Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients, QUASAR Study
This phase I trial compares swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer who have completed radiation therapy with concurrent immunotherapy versus chemotherapy (systemic therapy). Almost half of all head and neck cancer patients report distress from swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) after treatment with radiation therapy. Dysphagia related to radiation therapy can result in food or fluid entering the airway and associated pneumonia, feeding tube dependence, and psychosocial stress. Concurrent chemotherapy and immunotherapy can further worsen dysphagia from radiation because of enhanced tumor cell killing in normal structures. Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) can be used to evaluate swallowing function to help determine the differences in swallowing difficulties following radiation therapy with immunotherapy versus chemotherapy. This could lead to future improvements in preventing or managing dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy and systemic therapy.