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IFHNOS 2026
Post-Chemoradiotherapy Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: The Urgency of Objective Dysphagia Assessment in Patients with Minimal Symptoms
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Institution: Indonesian Head and Neck Oncologyst Society (IHNOS) - Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: Dysphagia is one of the most common long-term complications in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after chemoradiotherapy, which can affect as many as 70%. Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) can help in predicting dysphagia symptoms and risk factors. Some dysphagia patients do not report major swallowing issues, which could lead to the disorder being diagnosed late. Radiation-induced damage often results in silent dysphagia, posing risks for aspiration and nutritional compromise. Objective: The study aims to check the percentage of cases with objective dysphagia determined through Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) among NPC patients who had undergone chemoradiotherapy, had minimal swallowing complaints, and scored low on EAT-10 and RSI. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 54 NPC adult patients after chemoradiotherapy at RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo. All subjects underwent EAT-10 and RSI assessment, followed by FEES examination for objective swallowing evaluation. Objective dysphagia was defined by FEES findings (residue, penetration, or aspiration), while minimal symptoms were EAT-10 <3 and RSI <13. Results: 64.8% or 35 out of the 54 patients, had objective dysphagia. Among the 39 patients who had normal EAT-10 scores (<3), 56.4% or 22 remained dysphagic on FEES. Likewise, 52.9% or 18 out of the 34 in the normal RSI group (<13) exhibited objective dysphagia. While EAT-10 ≥3 and RSI ≥13 resulted in significant odds ratios (OR 5.02 and OR 5.04 respectively), the large percentage of dysphagia in normal-score groups shows that mere absence of subjective symptoms cannot guarantee absence of swallowing impairment. Conclusion: Objective dysphagia is frequently present in post-chemoradiotherapy NPC patients even with minimal or no complaints. More than half of those with normal EAT-10 and RSI scores on FEES had dysphagia. Screening based on symptoms alone is not enough; FEES should be part of systematic follow-up for these patients.
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Authors

Mrs Ika Dewi Mayangsari - , Mrs Elvie Zulka Kautzia - , Mr Timotius Alvonico -