64 Does dysphagia optimised radiation matter in the adjuvant setting

Abstract

Although the issue has been relatively under-studied, the relationship between swallowing outcomes and radiotherapy dose to dysphagia and aspiration-related structures (DARS) may be different following definitive versus postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for mucosal head and neck cancer (HNC). It also likely different across the head and neck subsites, given the variety of swallowing structures involved and surgical interventions performed. The goal of the presentation will be to provide an overview of swallowing outcomes and trajectories after surgery or surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, the potential organs at risk involved and the ability to spare them during radiotherapy planning, as well as the results of the interventions published to date and future directions.