Dysphagia Prevalence and Predictors in Cancers Outside the Head, Neck, and Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Dysphagia is usually associated with malignancies of the head, neck, and upper gastrointestinal tract but also occurs in those with tumors outside anatomic swallow regions. It can lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, reduced quality of life, and psychosocial distress. No studies have yet reliably described dysphagia prevalence in those with malignancies outside anatomic swallow regions.

The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence and predictors of dysphagia in adults with solid malignancies outside the head, neck, and upper gastrointestinal tract.

A cross-sectional, observational study using consecutive sampling was conducted. There were 385 participants (mean age 66 ± 12 years) with 21 different primary cancer sites from two acute hospitals and one hospice. Locoregional disease was present in 33%, metastatic in 67%. Dysphagia was screened by empirical questionnaire and confirmed through swallow evaluation. Demographic and clinical predictors were determined by univariate and multivariate binary regression.

Dysphagia occurred in 19% of those with malignancies outside anatomic swallow regions. Prevalence was 30% in palliative care and 32% in hospice care. Dysphagia was most strongly associated with cough, nausea, and worse performance status. It was also associated with lower quality of life and nutritional difficulties.

Dysphagia was common and usually undiagnosed before study participation. It occurred at all disease stages but coincided with functional decline. It may therefore represent a cancer frailty marker. Oncology and palliative care services should routinely screen for this symptom. Timely dysphagia identification and management may improve patient well-being and prevent adverse effects like aspiration pneumonia and weight loss.