Assessment of the toxicity associated with the two regimens administered post-EBRT in locally advanced head and neck cancer
Author: Dr. Afzal Hossain*, Sumaya Haque, Md. Nazmul Alam
MBBS (DU), MD (Oncology), Assistant Professor at Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical college and Hospital, Enayeatpur Sirajgonj.
Published Date: 2025-02-02
Keywords: Assessment, EBRT, mucositis, toxicities.
Abstract:
Background: The fractionation scheme in HNC patients is a complicated problem, as many factors are involved. In this case, the main concern would be minimizing overall treatment time without increasing acute reactions. Aim: To assess the toxicity associated with the two regimens administered post-EBRT in locally advanced head and neck cancer.
Methods: Quasi-experimental study was carried out in the Department of Oncology, Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital (KYAMCH) during the period October 2017 to March 2018 and the study done among a total of 60 patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were included in this study and distributed 30 in A and 30 in arm B. Result: majority of the study subjects were from 50-59 years age group (Arm A 36.7%, Arm B 36.7%). The mean age of patients in Arm A was 52.97± 9.07 years and in Arm B was 50.80±9.96 years. Moreover, in Arm A, 40% were from the lower class, 53.3% were from the middle class and 6.70% were from the upper class. The most common toxicity was Grade 2, and 3 neutropenia (26.7% and 13.3% respectively). Toxicities included Grade 2, 3 mucositis (26.7%, 6.7%), Grade 2 thrombocytopenia (6.7%), Grade 2 diarrhea (20.0%), Grade 2 nausea (33.3%) and Grade 2 vomiting (16.7%). The treatment response was not significant.
Conclusion: Various toxicities occurred in this study, the most common were mucositis, neutropenia, nausea, diarrhea, and alopecia but all those were manageable.
