Prostaglandin inhibitor and radiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancers
Radiotherapy is the usual mode of treatment for unresectable head and neck cancer. To improve cure rates, extend survival, and reduce morbidity, we use accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy and an adjuvant drug to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. In this study, 19 patients received 300 rad/day of radiotherapy in two equally divided doses to a total dose averaging 6,200 rad. Either indomethacin, 25 mg, or placebo was given four times a day in a double-blind fashion during therapy. Radiation mucositis was graded as 0 to 4+; pain, nutritional status, and tumor status were monitored daily and recorded biweekly. Evaluation of the data showed delayed mucositis in the experimental group for grades 1 to 3, with a significant difference at grade 3 compared with controls. The significance of a long-term comparison of cure rates would be doubtful considering the heterogeneity of the primary sites and regional disease in this group coupled with the small size of our study.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- OSTI ID:
- 5528722
- Journal Information:
- Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg.; (United States), Vol. 5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PROSTAGLANDINS
INHIBITION
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
CARCINOMAS
HEAD
NECK
PATIENTS
RADIATION INJURIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
INJURIES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
550603 - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)