Esophagoscopy in Evaluating Treatment in Patients With Stage I-IV Head and Neck Cancer Who Are Undergoing Radiation Therapy and/or Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the prevalence of esophageal pathology (any esophageal abnormality,
specifically: esophagitis, stricture/web, infections, neoplasms) as identified by
esophagoscopy in patients with HNCA before and 3 months following primary radiation and/or
chemotherapy.

II. To assess the changes in self-reported dysphagia symptoms as measured by the Eating
Assessment Tool.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo transnasal esophagoscopy at baseline and 3 months following completion of
radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Inclusion

- Written informed consent must be obtained from all participants prior to beginning
therapy; participants should have the ability to understand and be willing to sign a
written informed consent document

- Primary diagnosis of head and neck carcinoma (oral, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal)

- Stage I-IV, undergoing treatment with radiation therapy +/- chemotherapy

Exclusion

- Medical history of esophageal dysfunction

- Pregnant women are not excluded from participation