Study of functional infrared imaging for early detection of mucositis in locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

Background and Purpose Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has led to improved efficacy in treating locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN) but has led to almost universal in-field mucositis. Patients treated with the same regimen often have differences in mucositis occurrence and severity. Mucositis induced via radiation is known to represent an intense inflammatory response histologically. We hypothesized that patients destined to display severe mucocutaneous toxicity would demonstrate greater alterations in thermal intensity early in therapy than identically treated counterparts. This will allow identification of patients that will require more intensive supportive care using thermal imaging technology. Materials and Methods Subjects with LA-SCCHN (oral cavity or oropharynx) being treated with the identical chemoradiotherapy regimen underwent baseline and weekly thermal imaging. Changes in skin temperature caused by mucositis and dermatitis compared with a reference area (T were calculated and correlated to grade of mucositis based on NCI-CTCAE 3.0. Results Thirty-four subjects were enrolled. Grade 3 mucositis and dermatitis was observed in 53% and 21%, respectively. We observed a statistically significant positive association between an early rise in T and mucositis grade (p value=0.03). Conclusions Thermal imaging is able to detect small and early changes in skin surface temperature that may be associated with development of mucositis in patients being treated with chemoradiotherapy.

A Novel Peptide for Simultaneously Enhanced Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer and Mitigation of Oral Mucositis

“…Despite its frequency, severity and symptomatic and economic impact, there is no effective intervention for oral mucositis (OM) induced by chemotherapeutic or radiation regimens (CRT) used to treat head and neck cancers (HNC) [ 1 – 4 ]. Clinically, OM is characterized by mucosal breakdown resulting in extensive, deep ulcerations, severe function-altering pain, increased risk of secondary infection, bacteremia and sepsis, and expanded need for gastrostomy feedings, and ambulatory and in-patient supportive care.…”

The Application of Infrared Thermal Imaging in Chinese Medicine Diagnosis System

“…红外热像技术在中医未病诊疗中的应用 而且它的形成的热图比较简单，不像乳腺热图那样复 杂 [2,3] 。 血管疾病用红外热像检测仪来检查也是人们最 先想到的方法之一,肢体的某一血管分枝由于病变而 引起血液减少，温度降低，形成冷区 [4,5] 。 目前，红外热像仪广泛应用于内外科、五官科、 皮肤科、等等各科疾病的诊断已有四十多年的历史， 最令人关注的是在中医研究方面的成果 [6,7]…”

Evaluation of surface temperature of tongue for screening of patients with suspected oral cancer

“…This temperature increase has the potential to be detected in thermographic images produced by the thermography technique (SILVA, 2015). In addition, changes in tumor temperature over time may support the definition of treatment strategies (COHEN, 2013).…”