A prospective 5-year study of trismus prevalence and fluctuation in irradiated head and neck cancer patients

• Background Trismus is a complication post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), which causes pain, eating limitations and reduced quality-of-life. However, little is known about the condition long-term or how trismus fluctuates within an irradiated population. Aim/Objective To prospectively map trismus prevalence in irradiated HNC patients up to 5-years following treatment completion including describing intra-group fluctuation of maximum interincisal opening (MIO). Materials and Methods 211 patients receiving curatively intended radiotherapy for HNC were included in this prospective study. Patients were followed pre-radiotherapy (baseline), 3-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36- and 60-months post-radiotherapy completion using MIO. Results Mean MIO at baseline, 12-months and 5-years following radiotherapy were 51.5 mm, 41.7 mm and 41.3 mm respectively. A total of 28% (n = 36) fulfilled the trismus criterion at 5-years post-radiotherapy. Eighty percent of patients (n = 24) with trismus at 5 years post-radiotherapy also suffered from trismus at 12 months post-radiotherapy, whilst 88-92% of all patients reported reduced MIO at any given timepoint compared to baseline. 15% of patients never exceeded an MIO of >35 mm at any time-point. Conclusion Trismus is a prevalent long-term complication of HNC and its treatment, which does not appear to heal spontaneously. The majority of fluctuations in MIO occur during the first 12 months post-radiotherapy completion.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oto-rhino-laryngologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Otorhinolaryngology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Radiotherapy

head and neck neoplasm

trismus

quality-of-life

concurrent chemoradiotherapy

radiotherapy

impact

Otorhinolaryngology

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