Rishabh Gaur - Department of Oncology
Radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) are common treatments for head and neck cancer, but they often come with significant side effects. RT uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, while CCRT combines RT with chemotherapy to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. To better understand the side effects of these treatments, researchers conducted a study where patients reported their symptoms weekly during their treatment. The goal was to track the onset and severity of specific symptoms, identify symptom clusters, and inform future treatment interventions. This involved 149 patients, most of whom had oropharyngeal tumors, completing detailed questionnaires about their symptoms before and throughout their treatment.
The study found that patients undergoing CCRT experienced more severe symptoms compared to those receiving only RT. Specifically, these patients reported higher fatigue levels, drowsiness, loss of appetite, issues with mouth and throat mucus, and problems tasting food. Additionally, the researchers identified clusters of symptoms that appeared together, both locally in the treatment area and systemically throughout the body. Importantly, the study highlighted that symptom severity increased over time, with those receiving CCRT experiencing the worst symptoms. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to manage symptoms in head and neck cancer patients. Understanding these symptom patterns is crucial as it helps clinicians provide better supportive care and informs the design of future clinical trials to reduce treatment-related side effects. Ultimately, this research has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients undergoing these intensive treatments.
References:
Rosenthal DI, Mendoza TR, Fuller CD, et al. Patterns of symptom burden during radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a prospective analysis using the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Module. Cancer. 2014;120(13):1975-1984. doi:10.1002/cncr.28672
Edited by Shlok Chauhan - Clinical Section Editor
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