Endoscopic evaluation of the nasal cavity, pharynx and soft palate after radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy for neoplasms

Outcome objectives: To determine complications rate after radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy in patients with nasal cavity, pharynx and soft palate neoplasms in endoscopic examination.

Methods: 123 patients (19–87 years old) were followed for 1–144 months by clinical and endoscopic examination and underwent 1 – 9 endoscopic investigations. 118 patients had been treated for cancer, 2 for sarcoma and 3 for melanoma. Pharynx was a primary localization in 76 cases, nasal cavity in 10 cases, soft palate in 4 cases. In 34 cases there were metastases to the regional lymph nodes with unknown primary focus. Twenty seven patients were treated by radiotherapy, and 104 by radiochemotherapy.

Results: Following complications were diagnosed: permanent nasal cavity obturation in 23 patients, Eustachian tube obturation – 2, palatal movement impairment – 2, tissue necrosis – 3, one with exposure of mandible. Clinical evaluation showed hearing impairments due to middle ear effusion – 11, tinnitus – 2, visual impairment – 2, trismus – 2, obturation of nasolacrimal duct – 2. 13 recurrences were diagnosed. 3 patients had salvage surgery, 1 brachytherapy, 3 palliative chemotherapy, 6 received supportive care.

Conclusions: The regular endoscopic follow-up allows early diagnosis and management of complications due to radiotheraphy or radiochemotherapy.

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Jan 21, 2018 | Posted by in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Comments Off on Endoscopic evaluation of the nasal cavity, pharynx and soft palate after radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy for neoplasms

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