title: NO SToPS: Reducing treatment breaks during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer.
abstract: The addition of chemotherapy to radiation aids in the survival of patients with head and neck cancer but also increases acute toxicity, primarily painful oral mucositis and dermatitis exacerbated by xerostomia. The consequences of these side effects often result in hospitalization and breaks in treatment, which lead to lower locoregional control and survival rates. No strategies reliably prevent radiation-induced mucositis; therefore, emphasis is placed on management to prevent treatment breaks. The NO SToPS approach describes specific multidisciplinary strategies for management of nutrition; oral care; skin care; therapy for swallowing, range of motion, and lymphedema; pain; and social support to assist patients through this difficult therapy.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute, Boise, ID, USA. lambertc@slhs.org
authors.forename: Colleen K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lambertz
authors.forename: Jacque
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gruell
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robenstein
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mueller-Funaiole
authors.forename: Karrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.forename: Vaughn
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D017592:Skin Care; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000628:therapy