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Shoulder Dysfunction After Radiotherapy in Surgically and Nonsurgically Treated Necks: A Prospective Study
1From the Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China and the Department of Head Neck, the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, P.R. China.
Medicine
|July 30, 2015
Summary
Radiotherapy may cause shoulder dysfunction in patients treated nonsurgically for neck conditions. However, it does not worsen shoulder impairment in surgically treated patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Shoulder dysfunction is a common concern following neck cancer treatment.
- The impact of radiotherapy on shoulder function, especially in conjunction with surgery, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare shoulder dysfunction after radiotherapy in patients who underwent surgical versus nonsurgical neck treatments.
- To assess the long-term effects of radiotherapy on shoulder function using a validated quality of life questionnaire.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, pair-matched design involving 96 patients across three groups.
- Patients completed the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (shoulder domain) preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively.
- Groups included: radiotherapy only, neck dissection, and combined neck dissection with postoperative radiotherapy.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving radiotherapy only reported mild shoulder dysfunction (mean score 96.3, P=0.046).
- Neck dissection patients showed moderate dysfunction (mean score 71.6), with some changing work.
- Combined treatment group had lower scores (mean 65.3), indicating more dysfunction, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.304).
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy does not exacerbate shoulder dysfunction in surgically treated necks.
- Nonsurgically treated necks may experience induced shoulder impairment following radiotherapy.
