title: Relation of mucous membrane alterations to oral intake during the first year after treatment for head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute oral mucositis is associated with pain and impaired swallowing. Little information is available on the effects of chronic mucositis on swallowing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients treated for cancer of the head and neck were examined during the first year after their cancer treatment. Oral mucosa was rated with the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale. Stimulated whole-mouth saliva, oral pain rating, percent of oral intake, and 2 subscales of the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck (PSS-HN) cancer were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mucositis scores and pain ratings decreased over time while functional measures of eating improved over time. Reduction in chronic mucositis was correlated with improved oral intake and diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of association with pain was attributed to the absence of ulcerations. Continued impairment of oral intake during the first year posttreatment may be related to oral mucosal changes and other factors.
authors.affiliation: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA. pauloski@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Barbara Roa
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Pauloski
authors.forename: Alfred W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Rademaker
authors.forename: Jerilyn A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Logemann
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lundy
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McBreen
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santa
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campanelli
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kelchner
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klaben
authors.forename: Muveddet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Discekici-Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult