No abstract

<p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Background:</strong> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB">Xerostomia is a common complaint experienced with radiotherapy to the head and neck and it is caused by salivary glands dysfunction</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;" lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Methods:</strong> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB">Xerostomia is a common complaint experienced with radiotherapy to the head and neck and it is caused by salivary glands dysfunction</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-IN">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Results:</strong> The mean age was 51.69±13.7 years; 67% were men and 33% were women. Nasopharyngeal tumor and larynx cancer were the common tumors diagnosed (29% and 28% respectively), 78% of the tumors were squamous cell carcinoma and 53% of them in stage III. Most patients didn’t take chemotherapy during radiotherapy (90%), while 68% of them have previously received chemotherapy. The mean dose of radiotherapy used was 63.2±9.65 Gray. Post radiotherapy, the highest proportion diagnosed with xerostomia grade I (37%), while 21% of them were free of xerostomia. Female, negative past medical history, site, stage and dose of radiation were associated factors that increased prevalence of xerostomia<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusions:</strong> After radiotherapy, there is a high chance for developing xerostomia. Females, negative past medical history, advanced stage of tumor, high dose of radiation and site of tumor (oral, nasopharyngeal, and parotid) were significantly associated factors. Tumor site was a significant factor associated with the grade of xerostomia<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-IN">.</span></p>

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is indispensable in the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC). Oral mucositis (OM) is a complication in HNC patients undergoing RT. This study aimed to identify the incidence, distribution of OM, and its effect on treatment breaks in a section of HNC in patients in Iraq. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study. In total, 50 patients with primary HNC, treated with external beam RT, from 30th April to 10th September 2017 at  Baghdad Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center were included in the study. Cases of OM were graded according to the World Health Organization scale. Results: 80% of patients were below 65 years, and the male/female ratio was 2.6:1. Tumor sub-sites were nasopharynx (36%), larynx (22%), parotid (14%) and tongue (12%). 74% were smokers during or before starting RT. 86% were in stages III or IV. Incidence of OM was 72%; 16% grade I, 40% grade II, and 16% grade III. OM occurred in 93% females and 64% males, and 79% received concurrent regimens. Conclusions: OM occurred in HNC treated by RT, more in females, who received chemotherapy plus RT, and those with tumors of the oral cavity and nasopharynx. OM-related unplanned breaks may interrupt treatment schedule. HNC imposes a double burden in Iraq as it attacks a productive age group, and the vast majority of the patients included in this study were diagnosed in advanced stages.