Publications by authors named "Kirsty McLachlan"
Global assessment of swallow function (GASF) following VMAT radiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study looked at how well people can swallow before and after they received special radiation treatment for cancers in the throat area.
- 175 patients were tested to see if their swallowing ability changed 6 months after treatment, and many showed a drop in their ability to eat or drink normally.
- The results showed some improvements for a few, but many had trouble swallowing and some even developed jaw stiffness after the radiation.
Objectives: Investigate the feasibility and outcomes of fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) following a programme of prophylactic swallowing exercises in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with radiotherapy.
Design: Prospective, single cohort, feasibility study.
Setting: Three head and neck cancer centres in Scotland.