Association between laryngopharyngeal reflux and radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background/Aim: We investigated whether laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a risk factor for radiation-induced mucositis. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using our departmental database. The study included patients with stage I or II laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers treated with radiation therapy alone between April 2009 and March 2014. Based on endoscopic findings, baseline laryngeal signs were evaluated using the reflux finding score (RFS), and the severity of mucositis was assessed during and after radiation therapy. Results: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Thirty-one patients were categorized as high RFS (LPR-likely), while 27 patients were categorized as low RFS (LPR-unlikely). Grade 3 mucositis occurred more frequently in the high RFS group (p<0.042). Furthermore, grade 3 mucositis developed earlier in the high RFS group (p<0.001). Conclusion: High RFS (i.e., increased likelihood of LPR) appears to be a potential risk factor for developing severe radiation-induced mucositis.