Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Delayed lower cranial neuropathies following primary radiotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Andrew T Huang1, Shiyu Song, Laura M Dominguez
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0614, USA. athuang@mdanderson.org
Objectives/Hypothesis:
Delayed lower cranial neuropathy is a rare complication following primary radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, and has been most associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma with minimal data regarding this outcome in the treatment of the oropharynx. No reports, to the authors' knowledge, have described this complication following intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal primaries. Once encountered, this adverse outcome can have serious impacts on speech and swallowing. We present here our institution's experience with delayed cranial neuropathies following primary radiation therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as document the only reported case following IMRT.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...