Utilizing ChatGPT for Assessing Dysphagia in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: An Effective Tool - Report - MDSpire

Utilizing ChatGPT for Assessing Dysphagia in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: An Effective Tool

  • By

  • Dongrong Cai

  • Lili Huang

  • Xiaoqian Zhang

  • Kailing Tan

  • Yuxin Li

  • Shanshan Su

  • January 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Utilizing ChatGPT for Assessing Dysphagia in HNC Patients

Overview

This study explores the application of ChatGPT as a tool for assessing dysphagia in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. It highlights the potential of large language models to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes in this population.

Background

Dysphagia is a common and debilitating consequence of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients, significantly affecting their quality of life. Traditional assessment methods, while accurate, are often limited by invasiveness and resource requirements. The integration of advanced tools like ChatGPT may provide a more accessible and efficient means of evaluating dysphagia, potentially improving patient management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial results were provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Head and neck cancer patients frequently experience severe dysphagia post-radiotherapy, impacting their nutritional intake and quality of life.
  • Current dysphagia assessment methods include both objective (VFSS, FEES) and subjective (EAT-10, MDADI) approaches, each with limitations.
  • ChatGPT has shown potential in analyzing complex patient data and providing diagnostic recommendations in clinical settings.
  • Previous studies indicate that LLMs can improve accuracy in clinical decision-making and treatment planning for head and neck cancer.
  • There is a need for systematic clinical research to validate the use of LLMs like ChatGPT in dysphagia assessment.

Clinical Implications

The use of ChatGPT in assessing dysphagia may streamline the diagnostic process, allowing for more timely and accurate evaluations. This could lead to improved management strategies and enhanced quality of life for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer.

Conclusion

Integrating ChatGPT into clinical practice for dysphagia assessment represents a promising advancement in the management of head and neck cancer patients. Further research is essential to validate its effectiveness and optimize its application.

References

  1. Kayaalp et al., Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2025 -- Evaluating the Role of ChatGPT-4 as a Support Tool for Clinical Decision-Making in Neuro-Oncology Radiotherapy
  2. Evaluating Responses to Thyroid-Related Inquiries: A Comparison Between ChatGPT and Surgeons, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2025
  3. Tailoring Prostate Cancer Education for Patients Through an EHR-Integrated Large Language Model Agent, npj Digital Medicine, 2025
  4. Dysphagia-optimised intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus standard intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (DARS), ScienceDirect, 2023
  5. Head and neck cancer survivorship consensus statement from the American Head and Neck Society, PMC, 2025
  6. European Radiology — Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy of GPT-4-Driven ChatGPT Compared to Radiologists Analyzing Real-World Brain Tumor Radiology Reports
  7. Head and neck cancer survivorship consensus statement from the American Head and Neck Society - PMC
  8. Dysphagia-optimised intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus standard intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (DARS): a phase 3, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial - ScienceDirect
  9. Preventing radiation-induced dysphagia and trismus in head and neck cancer-A randomized controlled trial - PubMed

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