Assessment of quality of life and oral function of patients participating in a phase II study of radioprotection of oral and pharyngeal mucosa by the prostaglandin E(1) analog misoprostol (RTOG 96-07).
OBJECTIVE
The oral complications associated with radiotherapy to the head and neck are a significant dose-limiting factor. The goals of this study were to determine whether oropharyngeal rinsing and ingestion of misoprostol protect mucous membranes from the acute effects of irradiation, and to evaluate the quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes of patients receiving misoprostol. We report the results of the QOL outcomes of patients in this study.


METHODS
A total of 33 patients with resected or intact cancer of the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic larynx, or hypopharynx were registered to receive postoperative radiotherapy plus misoprostol or primary radiotherapy plus misoprostol. All patients were scheduled to receive 60-70 Gy at 2 Gy/d within 6-7 weeks. QOL and function were evaluated.


RESULTS
A decrease in the QOL and function occurred in all areas covered by the questionnaire at the 6-week interval. This decrease was significant for eating, saliva, taste, and mucous. Of these significant factors, taste, saliva, and mucous consistency had not resolved by 12 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased understanding of the impact of treatment on QOL and symptoms will formulate the rational design of toxicity interventions and enhance the multidisciplinary care of head-and-neck patients.
Johnson
Darlene J
DJ
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. johnson@moffitt.usf.edu
Scott
Charles B
CB
Marks
James E
JE
Seay
Thomas E
TE
Atkins
James N
JN
Berk
Lawrence B
LB
Meoz
Raul T
RT
Wheeler
James A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010614:Pharynx / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016595:Misoprostol; D000527:Alprostadil