Assessment of Prescription Pattern of Chemotherapy in Subjects with Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is a disease that arises when the tissues of the esophagus generate malignant cells. In terms of its prevalence, it ranks 13th among cancers in women and 7th among cancers in men. The goal of the study is to assess prescription pattern in subjects receiving chemotherapy for esophageal cancer and this research will provide guidance to healthcare professionals on ways to utilize medications effectively and improve subjects' quality of life and survival chances while reducing potentially dangerous side effects. This was a prospective observational study carried out in the Department of Oncology in ESI MC & PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. A total of 35 samples were collected, of which 28 were selected for the study. Subjects for the study were identified by the investigator during ward rounds based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant data collected were recorded on the Self-designed data collection form. All recorded data were entered using Microsoft excel software for determining the statistical significance. The results were expressed in descriptive statistics such as percentages were calculated for categorical variables. 71% (n=20) of the subjects involved in the study were prescribed with Carboplatin. Carboplatin with paclitaxel was the most preferred combination therapy. In the present study, we have concluded that the oncologists in this hospital prefer Cytotoxic drugs over Targeted drugs for the treatment of esophageal cancer. During the covid pandemic, subject previously diagnosed with EC discontinued their therapy and follow-ups due to restrictions imposed by the government and inability to travel during lockdowns. Hence, resulted in inadequate therapy which leads to spread of cancer among the subjects and there by the therapy is changed from dual therapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) the triple therapy.