Head And Neck Cancer Patients Research Articles

Effectiveness of early palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan

Background: Early palliative care (EPC) benefits some cancers, but its clinical outcomes differ depending on patients’ racial and ethnic disparities, and customs. To determine whether EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life among Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: Based on participants’ pathological stages, they were categorized as having early and advanced-stage HNC. Those willing and unwilling to undergo EPC were assigned to the EPC and standard groups, respectively. Their daily cancer-related symptoms were assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), whose scores’ concurrent validity was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Core Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck 35 (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35) questionnaires. Results: Patients (n=93) diagnosed with HNC at Taiwan’s Chia-Yi Christian Hospital from November 2020 to October 2022 were recruited. The patients voluntarily split into two groups: EPC groups and standard groups (23 and 11 in early-stage; 46 and 13 in advanced-stage, respectively). DT assessment showed significant emotional distress improvements for all patients with HNC who received EPC. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire indicated that, compared to standard interventions, EPC groups significantly improved the quality of life and some symptoms for both early and advanced-stage HNC patients. However, the EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire found no significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, advanced-stage patients’ anti-cancer treatment completion rates with EPC and standard interventions were 95.35% and 75%, respectively. Conclusion: EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, quality of life, and treatment completion rates in Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage HNC. Nonetheless, further extensive clinical studies are required for validation.

Investigating oral somatosensory perception and oral symptoms of head and neck cancer patients: insights on eating behaviour.

Sensory alterations and oral manifestations are prevalent among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. While taste and smell alterations have been thoroughly investigated, studies on their oral somatosensory perception remain limited. Building upon our previous publication that primarily focused on objective somatosensory measurements, the present work examined self-reported sensory perception, including somatosensation and oral symptoms, in HNC patients and evaluated their link with eating behaviour. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires on sensory perception, oral symptoms, sensory-related food preference, and eating behaviour among HNC patients (n = 30). Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to categorise patients based on their sensory perception. Correlations between oral symptoms score, sensory perception, sensory-related food preference, and eating behaviour were explored. Two distinct sensory profiles of patients were identified: no alteration (n = 14) and alteration (n = 16) group. The alteration group showed decreased preference towards several sensory modalities, especially the somatosensory. Concerning eating behaviour, more patients in the alteration group agreed to negatively connotated statements (e.g. having food aversion and eating smaller portions), demonstrating greater eating difficulties. In addition, several oral symptoms related to salivary dysfunction were reported. These oral symptoms were correlated with sensory perception, sensory-related food preference, and eating behaviour. This study presented evidence demonstrating that sensory alterations in HNC patients are not limited to taste and smell but cover somatosensory perception and are linked to various aspects of eating. Moreover, patients reported experiencing several oral symptoms. Those with sensory alterations and oral symptoms experienced more eating difficulties.

Quality of life in 583 head and neck cancer survivors assessed with the FACE-Q head and neck cancer module

ObjectivesLong-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is frequently affected in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Due to the shortage of studies investigating long-term patient-reported outcomes, we investigated long-term HRQOL using the novel FACE-Q HNC Module. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional single-center study was performed, including all patients who underwent curative treatment for HNC between 2006 and 2013. All eligible patients (n = 863) were invited to participate of whom 540 completed the questionnaires. Additionally, a prospective longitudinal cohort of 43 HNC patients treated between 2020 and 2022 was included who preoperatively filled in the FACE-Q, and at three, six, and 12 months postoperatively. HRQOL domain scores were analyzed to visualize group characteristics by tumor site and type of surgical resection. ResultsBoth surgical and non-surgical HNC treatments predominantly affected long-term functional HRQOL domains (eating, salivation, speech, and swallowing), eating distress, and speaking distress, with distinct profiles depending on tumor site and type of treatment. In contrast, few long-term intergroup differences between HNC patients were observed for appearance, smiling, drooling distress, and smiling distress. Longitudinal data showed significant deterioration across all functional HRQOL domains in the short-term following treatment. Patients predominantly reported long-lasting negative treatment effects at 12 months follow-up for functional domains, whereas psychological domains showed near-complete recovery at group level. ConclusionsAt long-term, various function-related and psychosocial HRQOL domains still are affected in head and neck cancer survivors. The results may serve to better inform patients with regard to specific treatments and highlight HRQOL domains which may potentially be optimized.

Optimal Treatment Order With Fibula-Free Flap Reconstruction, Oncologic Treatment, and Dental Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients benefit from craniofacial reconstruction, but no clear guidance exists for rehabilitation timing. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the impact of oncologic treatment order on implant survival. An algorithm to guide placement sequence is also proposed in this paper. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies on HNC patients with ablative and fibula-free flap (FFF) reconstruction surgeries and radiotherapy (RTX). Primary outcomes included treatment sequence, implant survival rates, and RTX dose. Of 661 studies, 20 studies (617 implants, 199 patients) were included. Pooled survival rates for implants receiving >60Gy RTX were significantly lower than implants receiving < 60Gy (82.8% versus 90.1%, P=0.035). Placement >1 year after RTX completion improved implant survival rates (96.8% versus 82.5%, P=0.001). Implants receiving pre-placement RTX had increased survival with RTX postablation versus before (91.2% versus 74.8%, P<0.001). One hundred seventy-seven implants were placed only in FFF with higher survival than implants placed in FFF or native bone (90.4% versus 83.5%, P=0.035). Radiotherapy is detrimental to implant survival rates when administered too soon, in high doses, and before tumor resection. A novel evidence-based clinical decision-making algorithm was presented for utilization when determining the optimal treatment order for HNC patients. The overall survival of dental prostheses is acceptable, reaffirming their role as a key component in rehabilitating HNC patients. Considerations must be made regarding RTX dosage, timing, and implant location to optimize survival rates and patient outcomes for improved functionality, aesthetics, and comfort.

Causes and impact of delays during the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer diagnosis.

The causes for delays during the COVID19 pandemic and their impact on head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis and staging are not well described. Two cohorts were defined a priori for review and analysis-a Pre-Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2019) and a Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2020). Delays were categorized as COVID-19 related or not, and as clinician, patient, or policy related. A total of 638 HNC patients were identified including 327 in the Pre-Pandemic Cohort and 311 in the Pandemic Cohort. Patients in the Pandemic cohort had more N2-N3 category (41% vs. 33%, p = 0.03), T3-T4 category (63% vs. 50%, p = 0.002), and stage III-IV (71% vs. 58%, p < 0.001) disease. Several intervals in the diagnosis to treatment pathway were significantly longer in the pandemic cohort as compared to the Pre-Pandemic cohort. Among the pandemic cohort, 146 (47%) experienced a delay, with 112 related to the COVID-19 pandemic; 80 (71%) were clinician related, 15 (13%) were patient related, and 17 (15%) were policy related. Patients in the Pandemic cohort had higher stage disease at diagnosis and longer intervals along the diagnostic pathway, with COVID-19 related clinician factors being the most common cause of delay.

Evaluation of a new two-step frailty assessment of head and neck patients in a prospective cohort.

Assessing frailty, in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is key when choosing appropriate treatment. Optimal screening is challenging, as it should be feasible and should avoid over-referral for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) This study aims to evaluate the association between geriatric assessment using a new two-step care pathway, referral to geriatrician and adverse outcomes. This institutional retrospective analysis on a prospective cohort analysed the multimodal geriatric assessment (GA) of newly diagnosed HNC patients. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression was performed to study the association between the screening tests, and referral to the geriatrician for complete geriatric screening, and adverse outcomes. This study included 539 patients, of whom 276 were screened. Patients who underwent the GA, were significantly older and more often had advanced tumour stages compared to non-screened patients. Referral to the geriatrician was done for 30.8% of patients. Of the 130 patients who underwent surgery, 26/130 (20%) experienced clinically relevant postoperative complications. Of the 184 patients who underwent (radio)chemotherapy, 50/184 (27.2%) had clinically relevant treatment-related toxicity. Age, treatment intensity, polypharmacy and cognitive deficits, were independently associated with referral to geriatrician. A medium to high risk of malnutrition was independently associated with acute radiation induced toxicity and adverse outcomes in general. The current study showed a 30.8% referral rate for CGA by a geriatrician. Age, treatment intensity, cognitive deficits and polypharmacy were associated with higher rates of referral. Furthermore, nutritional status was found to be an important negative factor for adverse treatment outcomes, that requires attention.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Cancer Management: The Experience of the Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department of a French Regional Referral Center in a High-Incidence Area.

Background: Cancer patients are at a high risk of complications in cases of infection, and head and neck cancers (HNC) are no exception. Since late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global health crisis, with high rates and severe forms of the disease in cancer patients. Hospitalization, surgery and radiotherapy were rapidly described as increasing the risk of infection. Since March 2020, the Amiens University Hospital (France) has been taking care of COVID-19 patients while its maxillofacial surgery department managed HNC patients without interruption, even during lockdown periods. However, many questions concerning the impact on patient care were still pending. The aim of this study is to describe HNC management in our center during the first epidemic peak and to evaluate the impact of containment measures on patient treatment. Methods: We retrospectively included 44 HNC patients treated in our department between 1 March and 31 August 2020. Two groups were defined according to the period of care: lockdown (March to May) and lighter restrictions (June to August). Results: The results show typical epidemiological characteristics, maintained management times and non-downgraded procedures. Conclusions: Thus, during the first epidemic peak, continuity of care and patients' safety could be ensured thanks to adequate means, adapted procedures and an experienced surgical team.

Design and evaluation of a deep learning-based automatic segmentation of maxillary and mandibular substructures using a 3D U-Net

BackgroundCurrent segmentation approaches for radiation treatment planning in head and neck cancer patients (HNCP) typically consider the entire mandible as an organ at risk, whereas segmentation of the maxilla remains uncommon. Accurate risk assessment for osteoradionecrosis (ORN) or implant-based dental rehabilitation after radiation therapy may require a nuanced analysis of dose distribution in specific mandibular and maxillary segments. Manual segmentation is time-consuming and inconsistent, and there is no definition of jaw subsections. Materials and methodsThe mandible and maxilla were divided into 12 substructures. The model was developed from 82 computed tomography (CT) scans of HNCP and adopts an encoder-decoder three-dimensional (3D) U-Net structure. The efficiency and accuracy of the automated method were compared against manual segmentation on an additional set of 20 independent CT scans. The evaluation metrics used were the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95), and surface DSC (sDSC). ResultsAutomated segmentations were performed in a median of 86 s, compared to manual segmentations, which took a median of 53.5 min. The median DSC per substructure ranged from 0.81 to 0.91, and the median HD95 ranged from 1.61 to 4.22. The number of artifacts did not affect these scores. The maxillary substructures showed lower metrics than the mandibular substructures. ConclusionsThe jaw substructure segmentation demonstrated high accuracy, time efficiency, and promising results in CT scans with and without metal artifacts. This novel model could provide further investigation into dose relationships with ORN or dental implant failure in normal tissue complication prediction models.

Risk factors associated with the development of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in Head and Neck cancer patients in Ireland: A 10-year retrospective review

Background and PurposesTo assess osteoradionecrosis (ORN) incidence in a population of Irish Head and Neck cancer (HNC) patients, and assess precipitating factors that may contribute to ORN development to aid prevention. Materials and MethodsReview of 1050 HNC patients attending the Dental Oncology Clinic, CUDSH between 2010 and 2021 identified 47 cases of ORN. Medical, dental and radiotherapy records of these forty-seven patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-, tumour-, and treatment-related variables were investigated in association with osteoradionecrosis development. Analysis conducted using SPSS, Pearson’s Chi-square test (p < 0.05), and ordinal regression model. ResultsORN incidence was 4.4 %. Median time from radiotherapy (RT) to ORN development was 9.5 months (range 1–98.5 months). ORN development within the mandibular surgical site was significant (p <.001), presenting at a higher Notani grade (p =.002), in mid-mandibular body region (p =.028), at radiation doses ≥ 60 Gy (p =.035), due to induced causes (p =.029), and without resolution (p =.019). ConclusionThis is the first retrospective study of ORN in HNC patients in Ireland over 10-year period. ORN incidence was extremely low (4.4%). As patients reported high smoking/alcohol use and poor dental attendance pre-diagnosis, this suggests intensive dental intervention pre/post-diagnosis contributed to low ORN rates. Mandibular surgery pre-RT increased risk of developing ORN at the surgical site. Therefore, we recommend future treatment planning should contour the surgical site, designating it an organ at risk (OAR), assigning a dose constraint, where oncologically possible, with emphasis on reducing the hot-spot to this region; findings reinforce importance of life-long expert dental care to reduce ORN incidence.

Contemporary perspective of spirituality and religiosity in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) poses significant challenges, not only in terms of physical health but also in psychosocial and spiritual dimensions. Religiosity and spirituality have emerged as crucial factors in the coping mechanisms of individuals diagnosed with cancer, including HNC. Addressing the spiritual needs, which comprehend existential concerns across various domains, represents a pivotal aspect of cancer care. Purvey of such care has been allied with better psychological and spiritual adaptation, along with reduced utilization of aggressive end-of-life interventions. Research underscores the profound influence of spirituality and religiosity on quality of life (QoL) among HNC patients, emphasizing the imperative of addressing to spiritual needs within the framework of holistic care. Additionally, neglecting the spiritual dimensions may favour suboptimal treatment outcomes and compromised patient adherence. Amidst obstacles such as insufficient training and apprehensions surrounding religious influence, collaborative initiatives involving variety of resources offer a potential avenue for strengthening spiritual support for patients with HNC. In essence, recognizing and addressing patients' spiritual needs constitute integral components of comprehensive care in HNC, nurturing resilience and promoting well-being within the adversities of illness.

Post-therapeutic detection of local tumor persistence of head and neck cancer: the value of routine control endoscopy with biopsy and medical imaging

Background: Insufficient local tumor control is the main cause of treatment failure in head and neck cancer (HNC). Re-staging HNC is challenging because of post-therapeutic tissue distortion. We investigate whether medical imaging and biopsy is more sensitive in identifying tumor persistence. Methods: In our clinic a re-staging with a control endoscopy and medical imaging is performed 3 months after therapy for some HNC patients. In this retrospective study, we compare the accuracy of imaging to the histology (gold standard). Imaging reports were classified according to 3 scales and re-assessed by 2 neuroradiologists. Furthermore, we evaluate recurrence rates and disease-free survival.   Results: 100 cases were evaluated. 14 patients presented with positive histology at the re-staging. Biopsy detected malignancy in 7 patients with inconspicuous imaging. Disease-free survival during the first 2 years was generally low (n=55). The accuracy of the RECIST scale was 0.74 with a sensitivity of 0.50 and a specificity of 0.78. Imaging reports reviewed according to the Lee-scale and a self-developed scale presented an accuracy of 0.47 and 0.51. Re-assessment of imaging by 2 neuroradiologists showed an accuracy of 0.87. Conclusions: Medical imaging alone serves as a moderate diagnostic tool to diagnose local persistence of HNC 3 months after therapy. Radiologic misdiagnosing can be addressed by control endoscopy. Our results indicate a benefit of routine biopsies since reliance on imaging may fail to notice tumor persistence. A binary classification of imaging showed a higher accuracy than conventional imaging scales and may help to predict tumor recurrence within 24 months after re-staging.

Survey of Danish Head and Neck Cancer Patients' Positions on Personalized Medicine, Gene Tests, and Personalized Follow-Up.

The field of personalized medicine (PM) has grown rapidly because of the "omics revolution", but PM may be difficult for patients to comprehend. This study sought to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) patients' positions and knowledge of PM, gene tests, and follow-up and to compare HNC patients' positions to a sample from a national Danish questionnaire. To do this, patients with prior HNC were invited to participate in a questionnaire. Initial interviews revealed a heterogenic understanding of PM between patients. A total of 226 patients were included in the survey and 177 patients with complete data were included for analysis. Most patients were more positive than negative towards gene tests and gene research (83% and 93%, respectively), but 72% had little or no knowledge of the subject. Almost all patients, 98%, were satisfied with their follow-up. Significantly more patients with HNC were positive towards gene research compared to a sample from a national Danish questionnaire (p < 0.001). Patients with HNC were positive towards gene tests and PM, but patients may not understand or comprehend the information given, and it is important to inform and educate patients and health professionals to establish common ground in PM.

Patient Education Materials for Immobilisation Masks in Radiation Therapy for Adult Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review.

Immobilisation masks (IMs) are used for people with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation therapy (RT) treatment to ensure accuracy and reproducibility between treatments. Claustrophobia-related mask anxiety in HNC patients is common and can compromise treatment due to patient distress. This scoping review aimed to describe the content of publicly available Patient Education Materials (PEMs) for people with HNC undergoing RT. Three search engines (Bing, Yahoo, and Google) were systematically searched using standard terms. PEMs in audio-visual or written formats were eligible for inclusion if the target readership was adults with HNC and included content on IMs for RT. Content was appraised using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable and Audio-Visual Materials to assess understandability and actionability. In total, 304 PEMs were identified of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen PEMs were webpages, three were PDF format, and one was a standalone video. The understandability and actionability of PEMs ranged between 47 to 100% and 0 to 80%, respectively. PEMs authored by Foundations/Organisations scored higher in understandability (80-100%) and were more likely to discuss mask anxiety coping strategies. In comparison, News sites and IM manufacturers published PEMs with the lowest understandability scores (20-80%). The significant variations in the quality of IM PEMs identified suggest that some sources may be more effective at informing patients about IMs. Although multiple aspects of the PEMs were consistent across the reviewed materials, many PEMs lacked information, and a stronger focus on understandability and actionability is required.

A narrative review of oncologic emergencies in patients with head and neck cancers: initial management and the role of radiation therapy.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) encompass a complex group of malignancies with high morbidity, often leading to critical emergencies such as pain crises, airway obstruction and hemorrhage. This review aims to outline an evidence-based approach to the multidisciplinary management of HNC oncologic emergencies with a focus on the role of emergent radiotherapy (RT). A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases with a focus on three common oncological emergencies using the following keywords: "head and neck cancer", "radiation OR radiotherapy", "pain", "bleeding OR haemorrhage", and "airway obstruction". All English language articles published up to April 2022 were screened to identify studies pertaining to the management of oncologic emergencies in HNC. The management of oncologic emergencies in HNC present a unique set of challenges that require early recognition and aggressive treatment. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence supporting the role of RT in the management of HNC patients presenting with pain crisis, malignant airway obstruction and acute haemorrhage. We demonstrate that while RT can be used as a primary or adjunct therapy, optimal management depends on the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team that includes head and neck surgeons, interventional radiology and palliative care. RT plays a critical role in the multidisciplinary management of HNC oncological emergencies. Further prospective and comparative studies are needed to assess optimal management strategies.

Terminally ill head and neck cancer patients and AI: Opportunities and prospects

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) presents unique challenges due to its psychological impact, particularly regarding facial disfigurement and social acceptance issues, especially in advanced stages and among terminally ill patients. Despite the critical importance of advance care planning and end-of-life discussions, these aspects are often overlooked, further compounded by the stigma and negative quality of life issues associated with visible morbidity in HNC patients. This commentary explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the multifaceted needs of terminally ill HNC patients. These include pain management and symptom control through predictive modeling, psychosocial support via AI-powered chatbots, treatment decision support by synthesizing patient data, automated radiation planning, end-of-life planning with AI-driven decision support systems, facilitating family communication through structured guidance and emotional support, and legacy building using AI-enabled digital platforms for preserving personal narratives. We propose the AI's potential in reducing suicidal ideation among HNC patients, a significant concern in the HNC patient population. AI can enhance patient safety and promote psychological well-being during the end-of-life journey. This commentary underscores the transformative role of AI in improving the holistic care and quality of life of terminally ill HNC patients, offering practical and compassionate support throughout their challenging journey.

T1 mapping for head and neck Cancer patients undergoing Chemoradiotherapy: Feasibility of 3D stack of star imaging

BackgroundMeasuring tissue oxygen concentration is crucial in understanding the pathophysiological process of hypoxia in head and neck cancer (HNC) and its significant role in cancer biology. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of T1 mapping using a variable flip angle (VFA) technique with stack of stars (SOS) trajectory sampling in HNC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). MethodsTo evaluate the ability of SOS acquisition to detect T1, a phantom study was conducted and compared to conventional Cartesian acquisition (CART). Additionally, four newly diagnosed patients were recruited and underwent two scans each at baseline and inter-treatment. The repeatability of SOS and CART acquisitions was assessed by comparing the T1 measurements of CSF from the baseline and intra-treatment MRI studies. The changes in ∆T1 of the tumors during air and oxygen inhalation between baseline and inter-treatment scans were also evaluated. ResultsOur study found that the 3D VFA SOS sequence was effective in reducing motion artifacts compared to the conventional VFA sequence with CART sampling and the same scan time, as demonstrated by the results from the phantom and patient studies. In terms of repeatability, no significant correlation was observed between the variability in ΔT1 measurements of CSF obtained from SOS T1 maps. The SOS ΔT1 measurements showed higher consistency, as evidenced by the ICC values ranging from 0.52 to 0.92. The ∆T1 measurements on the primary tumors increased after the first CRT (p<0.05) for all patients who showed a positive treatment response, except for one patient (0.05<p<0.1) who did not respond to the treatment. ConclusionThe 3D VFA SOS sequence is a feasible and reliable method for T1 mapping in HNC patients undergoing CRT. The use of this technique could potentially aid in the assessment of treatment response and contribute to improving patient outcomes.

Adaptive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: Pitfalls and possibilities from the radiation oncologist's point of view.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) may experience substantial anatomical changes during the course of radiotherapy treatment. The implementation of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) proves effective in managing the consequent impact on the planned dose distribution. This narrative literature review comprehensively discusses the diverse strategies of ART in HNC and the documented dosimetric and clinical advantages associated with these approaches, while also addressing the current challenges for integration of ART into clinical practice. Although based on mainly non-randomized and retrospective trials, there is accumulating evidence that ART has the potential to reduce toxicity and improve quality of life and tumor control in HNC patients treated with RT. However, several questions remain regarding accurate patient selection, the ideal frequency and timing of replanning, and the appropriate way for image registration and dose calculation. Well-designed randomized prospective trials, with a predetermined protocol for both image registration and dose summation, are urgently needed to further investigate the dosimetric and clinical benefits of ART.

Dental caries and demineralization in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

The number of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is steadily increasing, and the use of radiotherapy for treatment in this patient group has been associated with side effects such as mucositis, trismus, xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Radiation caries (RC) can be atypical, and their treatment can be challenging. Preventing and treating RC become crucial as post-radiotherapy tooth extraction can pave the way for ORN. The aim of this review is to evaluate the restorative dental treatment for HNC patients before, during, and after radiotherapy. This includes examining the impact of radiotherapy on tooth decay and demineralization, and providing solutions to address these effects.

Risk Factors of Cetuximab-Induced Hypomagnesemia and the Effect of Magnesium Prophylaxis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Hypomagnesemia is a characteristic adverse event of cetuximab in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, there is limited information about its prevalence, risk factors, and preventive strategies. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of hypomagnesemia and examine the preventive effects of prophylactic magnesium (Mg) administration. We initially investigated HNC patients treated with cetuximab between 2013 and 2019. Our institute started prophylactic Mg treatment (20-mEq Mg sulfate administration before cetuximab) in practice during this period. We retrospectively assess the preventive efficacy by comparing patients before and after its implementation. In total, 109 patients were included. In 60 patients without prophylaxis, all-grade and grade ≥2 hypomagnesemia at 3 months occurred in 61.7 and 15.0% of patients. The incidence of hypomagnesemia was not affected by regimens and concomitant medications. In 49 patients treated with prophylactic Mg treatment, there was no significant decrease in the cumulative incidence of hypomagnesemia. However, the preventive Mg treatment eliminated the need for additional Mg repletion to maintain Mg levels in patients treated with paclitaxel + cetuximab. A risk factor in patients without prophylaxis was a low Mg level at pre-treatment (≤2.0 mg/dL) (odds ratio: 6.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.78-20.4, p = 0.004), whereas that in patients with prophylaxis was the number of cetuximab doses (≥10) (odds ratio: 5.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.52-19.87, p = 0.009). In conclusion, a low pre-treatment Mg level was the only risk factor that could be avoided by prophylactic Mg administration. This preventive intervention is recommended for managing cetuximab-induced hypomagnesemia.

Early oral feeding and its impact on postoperative outcomes in head and neck cancer surgery: a meta-analysis

BackgroundEarly oral feeding has been previously postulated to contribute to developing postoperative complications following head and neck reconstructive surgeries using free flaps. This study assessed the association between the timing of oral feeding (early vs. late) and postoperative complications and length of hospital stay among these patients.MethodPubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched using terms such as “oral feeding” and “head or neck cancer.” We utilized RevMan software version 5.4 for the analysis. The study defined early oral feeding as feeding within 5-day post-operation, while late oral feeding was defined as feeding after the fifth postoperative day. Five papers that met the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis, with 1097 patients.ResultsThe results showed that early feeding was not significantly associated with postoperative fistulas (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.05, p-value = 0.07), hematoma/seroma (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.51, p-value = 0.38), or flap failure (RR 0.84, 95% CI = 0.38 to 1.87, p-value = 0.67). However, early oral feeding was significantly associated with shorter hospital stays than late oral feeding (MD −3.18, 95% CI −4.90 to −1.46, p-value = 0.0003).ConclusionNo significant difference exists between early and late oral feeding regarding the risk of postoperative complications in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent free flap reconstruction surgery. However, early oral feeding is significantly associated with a shorter hospital stay than late oral feeding. Thus, surgeons should consider implementing early oral feeding after free flap reconstruction in HNC patients.