title: The efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute toxicity due to radiotherapy on head and neck tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on head and neck tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected on 41 patients who received radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck. Radiotherapy was the exclusive treatment in 19.5% of cases, with surgery in 24.4%, chemotherapy in 48.8%, and with both in 7.3%. The toxicity requiring use of orgotein was: oropharynx mucositis (26.8%), dysphagia (34.2%), or both (39%), in grade 2 or more according to the RTOG scale. Orgotein (8 mg i.m.) was administered every 48 hrs until radiotherapy was finished.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall response rate was 92.5%; a complete response was obtained in 12 patients (30%) and partial in 25 (62.5%). The reduction in toxicity at the end of radiotherapy was one grade in 18 patients (45%), 2 grades in 16 (40%), 3 in 2 patients (5%), and 4 grades in the only patient with grade 4 acute toxicity. A statistically significant influence was shown in obtaining complete response: laryngeal tumor location (P = 0.037), duration of radiotherapy of more than 53 days (P = 0.002), discontinuation for non-toxic reasons (P = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We consider that orgotein is highly effective in dealing with acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on the head and neck area.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapeutic Oncology Unit, Hospital Clinico Universitario Lozano Blesa, San Juan Bosco, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Velilla
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urpegui
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: M Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Llorens
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coronel
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: Natividad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bascón
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Escó
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008667:Metalloproteins; C005180:orgotein