Original Article

Results of an open labeled prospective single group study of quality of life in patients with head neck cancer treated with paclitaxel based chemotherapy

Senniappan Karthikeyan, Tushar Goyal, Umakant Gaud, Mridula Shukla, Satyajit Pradhan, Seema Singh and Manoj Pandey
World Journal of Psycho-Social Oncology 2012, 1:3

Abstract

Objective : The present study was carried out to evaluate the role and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced head neck cancers and to evaluate its effect on quality of life.

Study Design : Open labeled single group prospective study.

Patients and methods: A total of 34 patients receiving paclitaxel and platinum based neoadjuvant chemotherapy were recruited in this prospective study. Chemotherapy response was evaluated by RESIST criteria and toxicity was measured by WHO toxicity criteria. Quality of life was measured by FACT-HN questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by using paired t test.

Results : Of the 34 patients, 16 had stage III disease while rest had IVA disease. Complete response was seen in 2 patients, while rest had a partial response. Both the patients showing complete response have received paclitaxel with cisplatin. Most of the patients’ had grade I or II gastrointestinal toxicity, no hematological or bone marrow toxicity was seen in any case. A statistically significant improvement in quality of life was seen at the end of three cycles, this improvement was more in patients receiving paclitaxel with cisplatin compared to carboplatin. Trial outcome index also showed significant improvement.

Conclusions: The results of the present study show good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with acceptable toxicity and improvements in quality of life. Its long term effect on survival and pattern of failure needs further studies.

    Full Text