Incidence of xerostomia in locally advanced head-and-neck cancers in elderly patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: Dysphagia and xerostomia are the main sequelae of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) and the main factors in reducing the longterm patient quality of life. Intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) uses advanced technology to focus the high radiation doses on the targets and avoid irradiation of noninvolved tissues. Material and Methods: During 2016–2017, 44 patients of locally advanced HNCs were treated with a curative intent with IMRT. They were in the age range of 65–75 years. The median age was 69 years. Thirtyfive patients were male and nine patients were female. Histopathologically, all had squamous cell carcinoma. Stage wise all were T3N2 or more. No concurrent chemotherapy was given. The Eastern Clinical Oncology Group criteria were used for grading the toxicities. Patients were assessed after 4 weeks of completion of treatment. Results and Conclusion: The incidence of mucositis was of Grade 1–2 in 37 patients. Moreover, patients experienced severe mucositis. Six patients had treatment interruptions due to mucositis. Xerostomia was Grade 1–2 in 42 patients and Grade 3 in 2 patients. Dysphagia was Grade 1–2 only. No hematological toxicity was seen. Patients having dysphagia during the treatment were given nasogastric feed. Response wise 14 patients achieved complete response, 28 patients had partial response, and 2 had stable disease. There was no treatmentrelated mortality.