Oral candidiasis in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy with amifostine cytoprotection.
This controlled study assessed the incidence of oral candidiasis, a xerostomia-related complication, in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, with amifostine cytoprotection. Thirty-eight patients received 500 mg amifostine i.v., prior to each radiotherapy fraction, while 16 patients received radiotherapy alone. Oral candidiasis was diagnosed according to the criteria described before. Subjective xerostomia scales were completed by all patients. Mucositis was evaluated using the RTOG criteria. Oral candidiasis was diagnosed in 11/38 amifostine patients and in 9/16 controls (P = 0.07). Severe xerostomia was reported by 4/38 amifostine patients and by 7/16 controls. Oral candidiasis was reduced with amifostine cytoprotection. Oral candidiasis is suggested as an objective, early, though indirect, endpoint for amifostine's radioprotective effect on salivary glands.
Nicolatou-Galitis
Ourania
O
Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. nicolatou.galitis@lycos.com
Sotiropoulou-Lontou
Anastasia
A
Velegraki
Aristea
A
Pissakas
George
G
Kolitsi
Georgia
G
Kyprianou
Konstantinos
K
Kouloulias
Vassilis
V
Papanikolaou
Ioannis
I
Yiotakis
Ioannis
I
Dardoufas
Konstantinos
K
D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000528:radiation effects
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D004999:Amifostine