Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Xerostomia and Quality of Life during Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Prospective Pilot Study

Xerostomia is one of the most common acute and late complications of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, and it affects quality of life. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in toxicities and quality of life during radiotherapy. Head and neck cancer patients who were scheduled for radiotherapy were checked for inclusion/exclusion criteria before enrollment. Patients in the study group (inpatients) were hospitalized in a Chinese medicine ward and received concomitant TCM intervention during radiotherapy, while those in the control group (outpatients) received only conventional cancer treatments at the Western outpatient department. The primary end point was amelioration of postradiotherapy side effects. The secondary end points were quality of life during the cancer therapy and occurrence of adverse events following the TCM treatments. Thirty inpatients and 50 outpatients completed the study. Compared to the control group, those in the TCM group had decreased severity of xerostomia. There was no treatment-related impairment of renal or hepatic function among TCM group. Although better outcomes of social contact, dyspnea, physical and emotional function, and financial problems were found in the TCM group, we need further confirmation about the impact of hospitalization itself on these results.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of head and neck cancer survivors

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06198-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Oreste Gallo ◽

Chiara Bruno ◽

Luca Giovanni Locatello ◽

Federica Martelli ◽

Maria Cilona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Online Survey ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychosocial Effects ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious consequences of lockdown and social distancing. The psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on this group are still unknown, and we want to explore how their quality of life (QoL) has changed in this unique situation. Materials and methods An online survey, composed of pandemic-specific items, plus the EORTC QLQ-C30, was administered to a cohort of HNC survivors. Using previously published reference values as a control group, we have evaluated the impact of the pandemic on their QoL. We have also explored the differences between those who had received a total laryngectomy (LP, laryngectomized population) vs other HNC patients, in order to assess the role of tracheostomy in this regard. Results One hundred and twenty-one HNC patients completed the survey. The scores of the physical (80.5 vs 85, p = 0.028), role (78 vs 84, p = 0.030), and emotional functioning (76 vs 81, p = 0.041) were significantly different in the two groups, with worse functioning in our patients. Comparing LP with the other HNC patients, social (76.6 vs 88.9, p = 0.008) and physical functioning (75.5 vs 86.1, p = 0.006) were significantly worse in the former group. LP also reported a greater perception that others are afraid to be close to them (1.67 vs 1.32, p = 0.020). No differences were found between LP with and without voice prosthesis. Conclusions Our results show how HNC patients are at high risk for a worsening in QoL because of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

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Quality of life in irradiated patients with head and neck cancer: A preliminary study about the impact of prosthetic rehabilitation

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry ◽

10.4317/jced.58209 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e906-e912

Author(s):

F. Silvestri ◽

B. Saliba-Serre ◽

N. Graillon ◽

N. Fakhry ◽

M. Ruquet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Prosthetic Rehabilitation ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Impact

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Quality of Life of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Cetuximab, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin Comparing to Cetuximab, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin and Docetaxel within the CEFCID Trial

Oncology Research and Treatment ◽

10.1159/000521415 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ute Goerling ◽

Thomas Gauler ◽

Andreas Dietz ◽

Viktor Grünwald ◽

Stephan Knipping ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

European Organization ◽

Global Quality Of Life ◽

The Impact

Introduction: CeFCiD was a multicenter phase II study comparing the efficacy of cetuximab, 5-flourouracil, cisplatin with the same regimen adding docetaxel in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. The primary analysis trial did not demonstrate survival benefit from therapy intensification in first-line recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The current analysis of the trial assessed the impact of treatment on quality of life (QoL). Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire QLQ-C30 and the tumor specific module for head and neck cancer (QLQ-H&N35) were used to assess QoL at baseline (visit 1), after 2 (visit 3), 4 (visit 5), and 6 (visit 7) cycles of chemotherapy. Results: Of 180 patients included in this study, 86 patients (47.8%) completed the questionnaires at baseline. Considering selected scores over treatment time, there was no difference in global quality of life, dyspnea, swallowing and speech between the treatment arms in the course. For fatigue a significant increase from baseline to visit 3 (p=0.02), visit 5 (p=0.002), and to visit 7 (p=0.003) was observed for patients receiving docetaxel (D), cisplatin or carboplatin (P), 5-FU (F) and cetuximab (C). At the end of chemotherapy the manifestation of fatigue was similar compared in the two treatment arms. Discussion/Conclusion: Therapy intensification not adversely affect selected scores of QoL of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN. Nevertheless, fatigue seems to be pronounced in patients treated with docetaxel.

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Impact of exercise with TheraBite device on trismus and health-related quality of life: A prospective study

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/0145561320961727 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 014556132096172

Author(s):

Charlotte Montalvo ◽

Caterina Finizia ◽

Nina Pauli ◽

Bodil Fagerberg-Mohlin ◽

Paulin Andréll

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Oncologic Treatment ◽

The Impact

Trismus is a common symptom in patients with head and neck cancer that affects many aspects of daily life negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of structured exercise with the jaw-mobilizing device TheraBite on trismus, trismus-related symptomatology, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with head and neck cancer. Fifteen patients with trismus (maximum interincisal opening [MIO] ≤35 mm) after oncologic treatment for head and neck cancer, underwent a 10-week exercise program with the TheraBite device and were followed regularly. Time between oncologic treatment and start of TheraBite exercise ranged from 0.7 to 14.8 years (average 6.2 years). MIO, trismus-related symptoms, and HRQL was assessed before and after exercise and after 6 months. A significant improvement in MIO was observed post-exercise (3.5 mm, 15.3%, p = 0.0002) and after 6-month of follow-up (4.7 mm, 22.1%, p = 0.0029). A statistically significant correlation was found between increased MIO and fewer trismus-related symptoms. In conclusion, exercise with TheraBite improved MIO and trismus-related symptoms in patients with trismus secondary to head and neck cancer. Structured exercise with the jaw-mobilizing device seems to be beneficial for patients with trismus independent of time since oncologic treatment.

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