Management of hypopharyngeal mucositis in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy in the head and neck region and its impact on swallowing: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the impact of chemoradiation-induced hypopharyngeal mucositis on swallowing and its management, based on an integrative literature review.

Research strategy

Two researchers were responsible for the search and selection of articles, within the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Science Direct, and Lilacs.

Selection criteria

The search terms used were “Pharyngeal Mucositis”, “Radiotherapy” and “Esophagitis”, with the aid of the Boolean operator (AND). The search equation used was “Pharyngeal Mucositis” AND Radiotherapy AND Esophagitis. The following central question guided the study: “What is the assessment and management of radiation-induced hypopharyngeal mucositis in the head and neck region and its impact on swallowing?”

Results

75 studies were identified, of which 6 were excluded due to duplicity and 60 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria; the remaining articles were read in full and 4 were selected to be part of the integrative literature review.

Conclusion

Despite the scarce literature and little information on methods for evaluating hypopharyngeal mucositis, the articles point out that, regardless of the radiation dose, radiotherapy in the cervical region causes hypopharyngeal mucositis. Hypopharyngeal mucositis causes a great impact on swallowing, resulting in the need to use an alternative feeding route. In addition to the lack of information regarding the assessment and grading of hypopharyngeal mucositis, the studies do not discussitsdirect treatment or prevention.

Keywords:
Mucositis; Pharynx; Head and neck cancer; Swallowing disorders; Quality of life; Oral squamous cell carcinoma