Relation of mucous membrane alterations to oral intake during the first year after treatment for head and neck cancer.
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.
Pauloski
Barbara Roa
BR
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA. pauloski@northwestern.edu
Rademaker
Alfred W
AW
Logemann
Jerilyn A
JA
Lundy
Donna
D
Bernstein
Michelle
M
McBreen
Carrie
C
Santa
Daphne
D
Campanelli
Angela
A
Kelchner
Lisa
L
Klaben
Bernice
B
Discekici-Harris
Muveddet
M
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