Phil-Sang Chung1, Bon Seok Koo2, Ho-Ryun Won3, Geon Ho Lee3, Jin Hwan Kim4, Sang Hyuk Lee5, Soon Young Kwon6, Seung-Kuk Baek7, Chang Hwan Ryu8, Sang Joon Lee9, Il-Seok Park10, Sung-Chan Shin11, Dong Wook Lee12. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, 201 Manghyang-ro Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea. pschung@dankook.ac.kr. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, 640 Daesa-Dong, Chung-Gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Republic of Korea. bskoo515@cnuh.co.kr. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, 640 Daesa-Dong, Chung-Gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital, College of Medicine, Ansan, Republic of Korea. 7. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 8. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea. 9. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, 201 Manghyang-ro Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea. 10. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea. 11. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea. 12. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS AND PURPOSE:Radiation therapy is an important mode of treatment for patients with head and neck cancers, but some associated complications can reduce the quality of life. We investigated whether N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy improved the quality of life of such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective, non-randomized controlled multi-center study involving 10 institutions. We enrolled 120 patients (80 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group). Patients in the experimental group inhaled nebulized liquid N-acetylcysteine (2400 mg daily) for 8 weeks from the start of radiation therapy. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire H&N 35. RESULTS:N-acetylcysteine inhalation was not associated with any side effect or discomfort. The reduction in painkiller use from the end of N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy to the 1-month follow-up was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.014). Dry mouth symptoms also improved significantly in the experimental group (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION:N-acetylcysteine inhalation improves the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancers who are receiving radiation therapy, without any specific side effect.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUNDS AND PURPOSE: Radiation therapy is an important mode of treatment for patients with head and neck cancers, but some associated complications can reduce the quality of life. We investigated whether N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy improved the quality of life of such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective, non-randomized controlled multi-center study involving 10 institutions. We enrolled 120 patients (80 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group). Patients in the experimental group inhaled nebulized liquid N-acetylcysteine (2400 mg daily) for 8 weeks from the start of radiation therapy. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire H&N 35. RESULTS:N-acetylcysteine inhalation was not associated with any side effect or discomfort. The reduction in painkiller use from the end of N-acetylcysteine inhalation therapy to the 1-month follow-up was greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.014). Dry mouth symptoms also improved significantly in the experimental group (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION:N-acetylcysteine inhalation improves the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancers who are receiving radiation therapy, without any specific side effect.
Entities:
Keywords:
Head and neck cancer; N-acetylcysteine; Oral mucositis; Quality of life; Radiation therapy
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