Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 26, No 15S (May 20 Supplement), 2008: 17024
© 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Treatment breaks due to mucositis in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC; Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle, WA; Nexcura - A Thomson Business, Seattle, WA

17024

Background: Mucositis is a primary factor limiting the dose intensity of radiation therapy (RT) in H&N cancer. Because reduced dose intensity can affect survival, we studied whether mucositis affected dose intensity in patients treated for H&N cancer. Methods: Patients with H&N cancer (or family members) who had registered to use NexCura’s online NexProfiler Treatment Option Tool for H&N Cancer between Aug 2001 & Oct 2006 and previously opted to participate in surveys were invited to complete an online survey about their treatment experience. Of the 5246 individuals invited, 233 completed the survey of 84 questions during a 4 week period in Jan-Feb 2007. All eligible patients had received RT as part of their treatment. Results: 74% of respondents were male. 86% had completed treatment in 2001–2006. 15% received RT alone, 85% received RT + chemotherapy. 77% of all patients rated mucositis as the most severe treatment side effect. 30% of patients had an RT break to recover from a side effect. Of these, 38% said RT was stopped 2 times and 43% said RT was stopped for 5 days (4% for 10 days). The top 3 reasons for RT breaks were mouth pain, skin burn, and dehydration. 46% of patients cited some form of mucositis (difficulty/pain on swallowing; mouth soreness; mouth sores/ulcers; pain and/or burning; throat soreness; inability to swallow food/solids, liquids, or own saliva) as the primary or secondary reason for RT breaks. 33% of 199 patients had delays or early termination of chemotherapy due to side effects; the top 3 reasons were neutropenia, dehydration, and anemia. 13% reported mouth sores/ulcers, mouth pain, or swallowing difficulty as a primary or secondary reason for interruption of chemotherapy. Conclusions: In a large survey of patients who had undergone treatment for H&N cancer, the patients felt that mucositis was the most common reason for interruption of RT.

Author Disclosure

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