Abstract
Objectives: This retrospective observational study investigated to determine whether surgery or chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy leads to better swallow function for oropharyngeal cancer patients. Methods: We documented the treatment paths and results of 267 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC). By quantifying nasogastric (NG) tube usage, surgery after induction chemotherapy (IC-surgery), and chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy (IC-CRT) could be compared to determine the effectiveness of each. Cancer stages were also recorded concerning treatment options. The differences in NG tube usage IC-surgery and IC-CRT groups were compared. The NG tube dependence rates were also presented. Results: The prognosis and tube dependence differed significantly between the two groups. The IC-surgery had a better prognosis compared to IC-CRT for oropharyngeal cancer. The findings indicated that NG tube dependence was greater in advanced tumor stage 4 compared to stages 1-3, and NG tube dependence rates were higher for patients who underwent chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy. Swallowing function was better in the IC-surgery group compared to the IC-CRT group. Conclusions: Higher NG tube retention rates and NG dependence are found in OPSCC patients who choose CRT as their treatment and also in the advanced-stage group.