Abstract
Background Malignancy of the tongue is a common condition affecting patients and their day-to-day
activities. The tongue plays an important role in deglutition. The combination treatment
modality involving surgical resection with or without reconstruction and radiation
is the most commonly used modality for such lesions. This in turn has a profound impact
on the quality of life of the patients owing to the nature of the treatment.
Aim of the study This study aimed to assess swallowing in patients with carcinoma tongue following
hemiglossectomy and radiotherapy (RT).
Methodology A prospective study carried out in 20 patients who underwent hemiglossectomy with
primary closure for carcinoma of the tongue followed by RT. All patients were evaluated
for swallowing using the Dysphagia Handicap Index before surgery; after surgery on
the 10th and 30th days; during RT after 15 fractions of radiation; and after 1, 2,
and 3 months postcompletion of RT.
Results The Dysphagia Handicap Index has significantly increased from the preoperative value
following both surgery and RT on all follow-up visits (p < 0.001). The most severe self-reported dysphagia was noted during and after RT(p < 0.001).
Conclusion This study shows that hemiglossectomy followed by primary closure with adjuvant RT
has a severe negative impact on swallowing, thereby affecting the quality of life.
Keywords dysphagia - hemiglossectomy - mouth neoplasms - radiotherapy