Derek K Smith1, Anthony Cmelak2, Ken Niermann2, Michael Ghiam3, Diane Lou4, Jill Gilbert5, Michael K Gibson5, Deborah Hawkins5, Barbara A Murphy5. 1. Department of Biostatistics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 3. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 5. Department of Medicine, Oncology Division, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radiation for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with painful mucositis that impacts the delivery of treatment and contributes to high symptom burden. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized pilot trial. Eligible patients received primary or adjuvant chemoradiation. Patients were randomized to usual care vs usual care plus gabapentin titrated to drug tolerance during radiation. Patients completed a symptom survey at baseline and weekly during therapy. RESULTS:Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the study (38 control, 41 treatment). At interim analysis, gabapentin use resulted in a decrease in pain (P = .004), with the biggest decreases being in the latter weeks of therapy. By week 7, the median pain score in the treatment group was below the 0.25 quantile of the control group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of gabapentin during chemoradiation for HNC patients resulted in a decrease in pain, neurosensory symptoms, and general systemic symptoms.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Radiation for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with painful mucositis that impacts the delivery of treatment and contributes to high symptom burden. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized pilot trial. Eligible patients received primary or adjuvant chemoradiation. Patients were randomized to usual care vs usual care plus gabapentin titrated to drug tolerance during radiation. Patients completed a symptom survey at baseline and weekly during therapy. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the study (38 control, 41 treatment). At interim analysis, gabapentin use resulted in a decrease in pain (P = .004), with the biggest decreases being in the latter weeks of therapy. By week 7, the median pain score in the treatment group was below the 0.25 quantile of the control group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of gabapentin during chemoradiation for HNC patients resulted in a decrease in pain, neurosensory symptoms, and general systemic symptoms.
Authors: Malcolm D Mattes; Gita Suneja; Bruce G Haffty; Cristiane Takita; Matthew S Katz; Nitin Ohri; Curtiland Deville; Malika L Siker; Henry S Park Journal: Adv Radiat Oncol Date: 2021-09-10