A study on patient compliance and acute toxicity in the management of head and neck cancers treated with concurrent weekly cisplatin and radiotherapy

Abstract

Head and neck cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the World constituting 15% of all malignancies. Head & Neck cancers rank 3rd in developing countries.In the prementioned context the current study is aimed at assessing patient compliance to concurrent chemo- radiation and also about the various factors influencing the outcome in the cases of head and neck cancers attending to Department of Radiotherapy, Government Medical College and General Hospital, Anantapuramu. Of a total number of 135 cases of head and neck tumours were treated with Radiation during the aforementioned period, 70 cases of locally advanced disease that are treated with Radical Radiation and concurrent chemotherapy were included in the study. In our study, we noticed complete response in 60 % of the patients. Response was significantly influenced by the site of the primary. Patients with primary in Nasopharynx and Larynx had better response, 80 % and 70 % respectively compared to. Tumor response was better in patients who completed treatment without breaks and with good performance status. Concurrent chemoradiation results in grade III reactions which have to be managed aggressively. Nutrition of the patient should be maintained with nasogastric or PEG tubes if needed along with parenteral nutrition. Weekly blood counts should be checked. Antifungals and antibiotics should be used whenever needed. Patients need counselling regarding diet and high protein diet should be advised.