Deglutition disorder as a late sequel of radiotherapy for a pharyngeal tumor.

Abstract

We present the case of a 62-yr-old patient who developed severe swallowing problems 5 yr after radiotherapy for a pharyngeal carcinoma. Although peripheral and cranial nerves are thought to be relatively radioresistant, cranial nerve damage can occur many years after radiotherapy. This may result in severe deglutition disorders and lead to a complete inability to eat normally. The aim is to demonstrate how these late sequelae can cause impairment of different structures involved in the swallowing process.