title: Fentanyl pectin nasal spray for painful mucositis in head and neck cancers during intensity-modulated radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the current analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of rapid onset opioid in a cohort of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients affected by painful mucositis influencing swallowing function during RT ± ChT with definitive or adjuvant intent.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was conduct on HNC patients during RT ± ChT that received fentanyl pectin na sal spray (FPNS) for incidental BTP due to painful mucositis 13 min before the main meals. The period of observation has been 90 days starting from the beginning of RT ± ChT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty HNC patients with incidental BTP due to painful mucositis treated with FPNS were analyzed. The mean NRS of untreated episodes of BTP was 5.73 ± 1.54 decreasing to 2.25 ± 2.45 with FPNS (median dose 100 mcg). During the pain treatment, the number of meals increased from 2.08 ± 0.35 to 2.868 ± 0.4 (p = 0.000), and the BMI remained stable (from 25.086 ± 3.292 to 25.034 ± 3.090; p = 0.448). The 94.9% of patients was satisfied or very satisfied for the rapidity of the effect, and 97.4% for the easiness and convenience in the use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FPNS showed an acceptable safety activity profile in predictable BTP due to painful mucositis in HNC patients during RT ± ChT. FPNS was also effective in reducing the mucositis sequelae and allowing the completion of RT scheduled scheme. Moreover, patients declared satisfaction in terms of ease of use.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy. rosariomazzola@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazzola
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ricchetti
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giaj-Levra
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fersino
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology School, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tebano
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, Via Don A. Sempreboni 5, 37024, Negrar, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alongi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059390:Breakthrough Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010368:Pectins; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D059085:Nasal Sprays; D010368:Pectins; D002945:Cisplatin; D005283:Fentanyl
keywords: Fentanyl nasal spray; Head and neck cancer; Mucositis; Pain; Radiotherapy