scholarly journals Pain Control in Head and Neck Cancer

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motassim Alroosan ◽  
Afaf Alroosan

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the treatment of head and neck cancer pain in KHMC and to evaluate the predictive factors for inadequate management between April 2007 and March 2010. Subjects Twenty-five patients with head and neck cancer. Main measures Patients rated prevalence and severity of pain and functional impairment related to pain. Doctors reported patients’ cancer characteristic, performance status, pain severity, and analgesic drugs ordered. Results 57% (14/25) of patients with cancer reported pain due to their disease, and, of those with pain, 69% (9/13) rated their worst pain at a level that impaired their ability to function. 30% (5/12) were reported as receiving no drugs for their pain. Of the 18 patients in pain for whom information on treatment was available 51% (41/18) were not receiving adequate pain reliefs, according to an index based on the World Health Organization's guidelines. Doctors were found to underestimate the severity of their patients’ pain. Younger patients, patients without metastasis disease, patients with a better performance status, and patients who rated their pain as more severe than their doctors did were at greater risk for under treatment of their pain. Conclusion In the light of the high prevalence and the severity of pain among patients with head and neck cancer, the assessment and treatment of cancer pain was inadequate, emphasizing the need for changes in patient care.

Author(s):  
Lars Axelsson ◽  
Erik Holmberg ◽  
Jan Nyman ◽  
Anders Högmo ◽  
Helena Sjödin ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) is a rare condition whose prognostic factors that are significant for survival vary between studies. No randomized treatment study has been performed thus far, and the optimal treatment is not established. Objective The present study aimed to explore various prognostic factors and compare the two main treatments for HNCUP: neck dissection and (chemo) radiation vs primary (chemo) radiation. Methods A national multicenter study was performed with data from the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register (SweHNCR) and from the patients' medical records from 2008 to 2012. Results Two-hundred and sixty HNCUP patients were included. The tumors were HPV-positive in 80%. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients treated with curative intent was 71%. Age (p < 0.001), performance status (p= 0.036), and N stage (p= 0.046) were significant factors for overall survival according to the multivariable analysis. Treatment with neck dissection and (chemo) radiation (122 patients) gave an overall 5-year survival of 73%, and treatment with primary (chemo) radiation (87 patients) gave an overall 5-year survival of 71%, with no significant difference in overall or disease-free survival between the 2 groups. Conclusions Age, performance status, and N stage were significant prognostic factors. Treatment with neck dissection and (chemo) radiation and primary (chemo) radiation gave similar survival outcomes. A randomized treatment study that includes quality of life is needed to establish the optimal treatment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Neizekhotuo Brian Shunyu ◽  
Judita Syiemlieh

ABSTRACT In India, 20 to 40% of all cancer arises in the head and neck region. The highest rate is seen in the eastern and southern regions of our country. The alarming high prevalence of head and neck cancer (HNC) in this region has prompted us to undertake this retrospective study. This study is to give the picture on the prevalence of HNC in the region, as such studies are lacking, till date. This is a 5 years retrospective study of cancer patients from 2007 to 2011 who have been registered in Civil Hospital, Shillong. The period of study is short as registry before 2007 was not properly recorded, but the high prevalence of cancer especially HNC warranted the need to undertake this retrospective study. During the 5-year period, there were a total of 3,123 cancer patients, registered in Civil Hospital, Shillong. In this study, HNC and esophageal cancer constitute 2,207 (70.67%) cases of the total body malignancy (TBM) which is much higher than other studies done in other parts of the country. Fourth decade is the most common age group comprising of 471 cases which accounts for 32.72% of all HNC. This high prevalence of HNC in the young population of the region is alarming and hence needs a comprehensive afford to meet this challenge. This paper, therefore, is an attempt to quantify the spectrum of HNC in the region hoping that this paper will help the health professionals to understand the burden of HNC in the region, so as to generate strategies for future planning. How to cite this article Shunyu NB, Syiemlieh J. Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancer in the State of Meghalaya: Hospital-based Study. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2013;4(1):1-5.


2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (05) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Payne ◽  
Michael P. Hier ◽  
Karen M. Kost ◽  
Martin J. Black ◽  
Anthony G. Zeitouni ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcy A. List ◽  
John Stracks ◽  
Laura Colangelo ◽  
Pamela Butler ◽  
Natasha Ganzenko ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To determine, pretreatment, how head and neck cancer (HNC) patients prioritize potential treatment effects in relationship to each other and to survival and to ascertain whether patients’ preferences are related to demographic or disease characteristics, performance status, or quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-one patients were assessed pretreatment using standardized measures of QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck) and performance (Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer). Patients were also asked to rank a series of 12 potential HNC treatment effects. RESULTS: Being cured was ranked top priority by 75% of patients; another 18% ranked it second or third. Living as long as possible and having no pain were placed in the top three by 56% and 35% of patients, respectively. Items that were ranked in the top three by 10% to 24% of patients included those related to energy, swallowing, voice, and appearance. Items related to chewing, being understood, tasting, and dry mouth were placed in the top three by less than 10% of patients. Excluding the top three rankings, there was considerable variability in ratings. Rankings were generally unrelated to patient or disease characteristics, with the exception that cure and living were of slightly lower priority and pain of higher priority to older patients compared with younger patients. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that, at least pretreatment, survival is of primary importance to patients, supporting the development of aggressive treatment strategies. In addition, results highlight individual variability and warn against making assumptions about patients’ attitudes vis-à-vis potential outcomes. Whether patients’ priorities will change as they experience late effects is currently under investigation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Brammer ◽  
D Dawson ◽  
M Joseph ◽  
J Tipper ◽  
T Jemmet ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:This study aimed to assess head and neck cancer patient satisfaction with the use of a touch-screen computer patient-completed questionnaire for assessing Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 co-morbidity scores prior to treatment, along with its clinical reliability.Methods:A total of 96 head and neck cancer patients were included in the audit. An accurate Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 co-morbidity score was achieved via patient-completed questionnaire assessment for 97 per cent of participants.Results:In all, 96 per cent of patients found the use of a touch-screen computer acceptable and would be willing to use one again, and 62 per cent would be willing to do so without help. Patients were more likely to be willing to use the computer again without help if they were aged 65 years or younger (χ2test;p= 0.0054) or had a performance status of 0 or 1 (χ2test;p= 0.00034).Conclusion:Use of a touch-screen computer is an acceptable approach for assessing Adult Co-morbidity Evaluation 27 scores at pre-treatment assessment in a multidisciplinary joint surgical–oncology clinic.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document