Swallowing difficulties in advanced lung cancer: prevalence and impact
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study investigating the presence and impact of swallowing difficulties in patients with advanced lung cancer.
IRAS ID
181751
Contact name
Grainne Brady
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St. George's University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 4 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to identify the presence and impact of swallowing difficulties in patients with advanced lung cancer. Advanced lung cancer refers to disease where no further curative treatment options are available. Swallowing difficulties may arise due to position of the tumour and/or if the nerves which control swallowing are affected. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause a sore mouth, throat, and inflamed food pipe which can make swallowing very difficult also. Patients may struggle to eat and drink enough. Food/fluids may ‘go down the wrong way’ and enter the lungs causing a chest infection. Swallowing difficulties can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
There has been very little research on swallowing in lung cancer. There are treatments, advice, and strategies available to help. The aim of this study is to get an estimate of how many people with advanced lung cancer have swallowing difficulties and to measure how these difficulties are impacting on quality of life. It is hoped that this study will raise awareness of swallowing difficulties in lung cancer, so that treatment can be provided as early as possible and quality of life maximised.
The research will take place at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Participants will attend an appointment so that the researcher can ask questions regarding their swallowing. Two validated questionnaires will be used. The first questionnaire (The Eating Assessment Tool: EAT-10) aims to identify swallowing difficulties. If a participant is found to have swallowing difficulties, they will be asked to complete a second questionnaire entitled the SWAL-QOL. The SWAL-QOL aims to measure how much a person’s quality of life is affected by their swallowing difficulties. Only participants who have a swallowing difficulty will need to complete the second questionnaire. Once the questionnaire(s) is/are completed, participation will be complete.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1310
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion