Abstract: Objective To examine the effect of applying fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing(FEES)on long-term survivors of nasopharyngeal cancer. Methods Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was conducted on 107 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were previously treated by radiotherapy. The Yale pharyngeal residue severity rating and Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale were used to evaluate pharyngeal residue, penetration, and aspiration. Results A total of 107 patients were included in survey, with a median follow-up time of 8.78±2.91 years(range: 5-14 y). Late complications noted in the participants were impairment of the glottic adduction reflex(n=22, 20.56%), nasopharyngeal reflux(n=23, 21.49%), and vocal cord(n=50, 46.72%). The detection rate of pharyngeal residue on FEES with porridge was 53.06%, while that of aspiration on FEES with liquid and porridge was 45.79% and 29.90%, respectively. Conclusion The use of FEES in long-term survivors with nasopharyngeal cancer led to serious radiotherapy-induced dysphagia, particularly in pharyngeal residue with porridge and aspiration with liquid and porridge.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Dysphagia, Radiotherapy, Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing