Cumulative Coffee Consumption as a Protective Factor for Head and Neck Cancer in Brazil.

There is still no consensus in the literature regarding the role of coffee in head and neck cancer. Thus, we sought to analyze the cumulative consumption of coffee as a protective factor in the genesis of head and neck cancer in Brazil, one of the main coffee producing countries, from January 2011 to February 2017. We carried out a case-control study in 5 referral centers for head and neck cancer with 839 cases and 842 non-cancer hospital controls matched by sex, data collection center and age group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the cumulative consumption of >2 cups of coffee per day is an important protective factor (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) against head and neck cancer. Smoking increased the risk by 22 times (OR: 22.19; 95% CI: 13.7-35.8) in individuals who smoke more than 50 packs per year, and the habit of ingesting more than 155 ml of alcohol per day represented approximately twice as high risk (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.4-3.4). In summary, this study suggests that coffee consumption is associated with a lower chance of head and neck cancer.

Effect of National Oral Health Screening Program on the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Korean National Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Poor oral health is associated with head and neck cancer (HNC). We evaluated whether a national oral health screening program (OHSP) could reduce the risk of HNC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 408,247 healthy individuals aged ≥ 40 years from the National Health Insurance System-National Health Screening program during 2003 and 2004 in Korea were analyzed. The risk of HNC was compared between subjects who underwent OHSP (HEALS-Dental+, n=165,292) and routine health check-ups only (HEALS-Dental‒, n=242,955). The impact of individual oral health-related factors on HNC risk was evaluated in HEALS-Dental+. RESULTS: A total of 1,650 HNC cases were diagnosed. The 10-year HNC-free rate was 99.684% with a median follow-up of 11 years. The risk of all HNC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.29; p=0.011) and oropharyngeal cancer (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.94; p=0.005) was significantly higher in HEALS-Dental‒ than in HEALS-Dental+. In HEALS-Dental+, oral cavity cancer was marginally reduced (p=0.085), and missing teeth was a significant factor for HNC (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.50; p=0.032). Toothbrushing was a significant factor in univariate analysis (p=0.028), but not in multivariate analysis (p=0.877). CONCLUSION: The National OHSP significantly reduced the long-term HNC risk, particularly the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer. Routine OHSP should be considered at the population level.

Extirpative Considerations of Melanoma of the Head and Neck.

The incidence of melanoma is continuing to rise in the United States, and head and neck melanomas account for 25% of all cutaneous melanomas. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline recommendations for surgical margins and sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck melanomas are the same as cutaneous melanoma located in other regions, but require special considerations when performing wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and completion lymph node dissection and reconstruction taking into account the location of the melanoma and structures involved in and around the suggested margins.

Second primary cancers: a retrospective analysis of real world data using the enhanced medical research engine ConSoRe in a French comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Second primary cancers (SPC) account for 18% of all cancers. We used the enhanced medical/health data mining tool ConSoRe to search aggregated data, analyze electronic patient records (EPR), and better characterize patients with SPC. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used ConSoRe to identify EPRs from patients with SPC referred to the regional cancer center Leon Bérard from 1993 to 2017, and examined characteristics of patients with SPC, frequencies of first primary cancer (FPC) localization in the global population of patients with SPC, and time to SPC. Data set was extracted on January 1, 2018. RESULTS: Among 296,530 EPRs, we identified 157,187 patients with FPC, including 13,002 (8%) patients with SPC. Between 2000 and 2010, the rate of SPC was 34%, and 52% of SPC were identified in the last years (2010-2017). In men, main cancers were head and neck cancer, lymphoma, and prostate carcinoma accounting for 15.6%, 12.8%, and 10.5% of FPC, while the three most common SPC were head and neck cancer (13.2%), lung cancer (11.8%) and lymphoma (9.2%). In women, breast cancers, lymphoma, and skin cancers accounted for 48.8%, 8%, and 5.1% of first cancers, and for 31.1%, 7% and 6% of SPC. CONCLUSION: The data mining tool ConSoRe contributes to access to real world data, and to better characterize patients with SPC. Expanding such approach to any comprehensive center will allow a global overview of the follow-up of patients with cancer, and help to improve long-term management and adapt surveillance.

Trends in, and predictors of, swallowing and social eating outcomes in head and neck cancer survivors: A longitudinal analysis of head and neck 5000.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery trajectory and predictors of outcome for swallowing difficulties following head and neck cancer treatment in a large prospective cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 5404 participants of the Head and Neck 5000 study were collected from 2011 to 2014. Patient-reported swallowing was measured using the EORTC HN35, recorded at baseline (pre-treatment) and 4 and 12 months post-baseline. Mixed-effects linear multivariable regression was used to investigate time trends, compare cancer sites, and identify associations between clinical, socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: 2458 participants with non-recurrent oral (29%) oropharyngeal (46%) and laryngeal (25%) cancer were included in the analysis. There was a clinically significant deterioration in scores between baseline and four months for swallowing (11.7 points; 95% CI 10.7-12.8) and trouble with social eating (17.9 points; 95% CI 16.7-19.2), but minimal difference between baseline and 12 months. Predictors of better swallowing and social eating were participants with larynx cancer, early-stage disease, treatment type, age, gender, co-morbidity, socio-economic status, smoking behaviour and cohabitation. CONCLUSION: Swallowing problems persist up to a year after head and neck cancer treatment. These findings identify disease and demographic characteristics for particularly vulnerable groups, supporting the need for holistic interventions to help improve swallowing outcomes. People diagnosed with head and neck cancer at risk of severe eating and drinking problems following treatment can be identified earlier in the pathway, receive more accurate information about early and late post-treatment side-effects, which can inform shared decision-making discussions.

Association Between Vitamin D Exposure and Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a well-described preventable cause of many cancers; the association of vitamin D use with the development of head and neck cancer (HNC) is not clear. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the studies assessing the relation between vitamin D exposure and the prevention and prognosis of the HNC using meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science up to 1 January 2021, and reference lists of related studies were searched. We extracted observational studies reporting the association between vitamin D (vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and vitamin D intake) and the outcomes of interest (HNC incidence and HNC mortality) in HNC patients aged 18 or older. Fixed effects models were used to calculate pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by RevMan (version 5.3). Results: Sixteen studies with a total of 81,908 participants were enrolled in our meta-analysis. Based on the pooled genomic analysis, comparing with participants with the genotypes of Ff + FF or FF, the pooled odds ratio (OR) of participants with the genotype of ff was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.61 to 0.97) and 0.75 (0.58 to 0.97), respectively. A similar trend was noted when comparing tt with Tt + TT or TT, in which OR (95% CI) was 0.70 (0.55 to 0.90) and 0.72 (0.55 to 0.95). No significant association was identified between BsmI polymorphism and HNC. Furthermore, the OR of HNC incidence was 0.77 (0.65 to 0.92) for participants with vitamin D intake over the ones with a regular diet. High concentrations of circulated 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) significantly decreased by 32% of HNC incidence (OR (95% CI): 0.68 (0.59 to 0.78)) and increased HNC survival (pooled hazard ratio 1.13, 1.05 to 1.22) during a 4-5 years follow-up. High concentrations of circulating 25-OHD in patients with HNC led to a decreased risk of mortality to 0.75 (0.60 to 0.94) as the follow-up extends to 8-12 years. Conclusions: Elevated activities of vitamin D by diet intake, genomic polymorphisms, or circulated 25-OHD may protect people from HNC and improve the prognosis of patients with HNC. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020176002 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=176002).

Factors associated with under-reporting of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in cause-of-death records: A comparative study of two national databases in France from 2008 to 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To date, no study has evaluated the detection rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in cause-of-death records in Europe. Our objectives were to compare the number of deaths attributable to HNSCC from two national databases in France and to identify factors associated with under-reporting of HNSCC in cause-of-death records. METHODS: The national hospital discharge database and the national underlying cause-of-death records were compared for all HNSCC-attributable deaths in adult patients from 2008 to 2012 in France. Factors associated with under-reporting of HNSCC in cause-of-death records were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression. RESULTS: A total of 41,503 in-hospital deaths were attributable to HNSCC as compared to 25,647 deaths reported in national UCoD records (a detection rate of 62%). Demographics at death were similar in both databases with respect to gender (83% men), age (54% premature deaths at 25-64 years), and geographic distribution. In multivariate Poisson regression, under-reporting of HNSCC in cause-of-death records significantly increased in 2012 compared to 2010 (+7%) and was independently associated with a primary HNSCC site other than the larynx, a former primary or second synchronous cancer other than HNSCC, distant metastasis, palliative care, and death in hospitals other than comprehensive cancer care centers. The main study results were robust in a sensitivity analysis which also took into account deaths outside hospital (overall, 51,129 HNSCC-attributable deaths; a detection rate of 50%). For the year 2012, the age-standardized mortality rate for HNSCC derived from underlying cause-of-death records was less than half that derived from hospital discharge summaries (14.7 compared to 34.1 per 100,000 for men and 2.7 compared to 6.2 per 100,000 for women). CONCLUSION: HNSCC is largely under-reported in cause-of-death records. This study documents the value of national hospital discharge databases as a complement to death certificates for ascertaining cancer deaths.

Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case for Chemoprevention with Vitamin D.

Blacks experience disproportionate head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence and mortality compared to Whites. Overall, vitamin D status is inversely associated to HNC pointing to a potential protective linkage. Although hypovitaminosis D in Blacks is well documented it has not been investigated in Black HNC patients. Thus, we conducted a prospective pilot study accessing vitamin D status in newly diagnosed HNC patients stratified by race and conducted in vitro studies to investigate mechanisms associated with potential cancer inhibitory effects of vitamin D. Outcome measures included circulating levels of vitamin D, related nutrients, and risk factor characterization as well as dietary and supplemental estimates. Vitamin D-based in vitro assays utilized proteome and microRNA (miR) profiling. Nineteen patients were enrolled, mean circulating vitamin D levels were significantly reduced in Black compared to White HNC patients, 27.3 and 20.0 ng/mL, respectively. Whites also supplemented vitamin D more frequently than Blacks who had non-significantly higher vitamin D from dietary sources. Vitamin D treatment of HNC cell lines revealed five significantly altered miRs regulating genes targeting multiple pathways in cancer based on enrichment analysis (i.e., negative regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, chemokine, MAPK, and WNT signaling). Vitamin D further altered proteins involved in cancer progression, metastasis and survival supporting a potential role for vitamin D in targeted cancer prevention.

Investigating the health disparities in the association between lifestyle behaviors and the risk of head and neck cancer.

Many studies have reported a positive association between lower socioeconomic status (SES) and higher head and neck cancer (HNC) risk. Fewer studies have examined the impact of SES on the association between alcohol or cigarette use and HNC risk. The current case-control study (1104 HNC cases and 1363 controls) investigated the influence of education, a SES indicator, on the association between HNC and the use of alcohol, cigarettes, or betel quids in Taiwan, a country with universal health care. Our results showed a larger increase in HNC risk associated with alcohol among those with lower educational level (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-2.80) than those with higher educational level (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.04-1.85) (heterogeneity-P = .03). Educational level had an influence on the association between alcohol use and HNC risk among those with genetic susceptibility (ALDH2-deficient) to the carcinogenic effect of alcohol. The association between cigarette or betel quid use and HNC risk was similar between the high and low educational groups. National policies and social interventions have led to the decline in the prevalence of cigarette and betel quid users in Taiwan. In contrast, due to the lack of adequate alcohol control policies, alcohol consumption in Taiwan has continued to rise. A higher impact of alcohol on HNC risk among lower SES individuals even with universal health care could be the result of insufficient alcohol control policies in Taiwan.

Opium Use and Head and Neck Cancers: A Matched Case-Control Study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Head and Neck (H and N) cancers include malignant tumors of the nasal cavity, pharynx, paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, larynx and salivary glands. Opium use might be related to these cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Opium and its Derivatives (O and D) use and the incidence of H and N cancers. METHODS: In this case-control study conducted in Kerman, 140 patients with HandN cancers and 280 healthy controls (matched for age, gender, and place of residence) were included. Information about their use of O and D, cigarette smoking, alcohol and diet were collected using a structured questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression was used to investigate the relation between variables. RESULTS: The use of opioids was associated with an increased risk of H and N cancers (Adjusted OR: 8.13; CI: 4.08-16.2). A significant dose-response relation between O and D use was observed, with high use Adjusted OR=8.91; 95% CI: 4.03-19.65 and low use Adjusted OR=6.52; 95% CI: 3.18- 13.36. This dose-response association was stronger in patients with laryngeal cancer and opioids use, with high use Adjusted OR = 11.17; 95% CI=4.48-28.09 and low use Adjusted OR = 9.46; 95% CI= 3.97- 22.52. CONCLUSION: The results show that opium use can be considered as an important risk factor for H and N cancers. Also in Iran, opium seems to play a more important role than cigarette smoking.

The occurrence and pattern of head and neck sarcomas: a comprehensive cancer center experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the demographics, clinicopathological, treatment, and survival characteristics of head and neck sarcomas diagnosed in a reference center in the Brazilian Northeast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed the clinical records of patients with head and neck sarcomas. Epidemiologic data consisted in clinical location, age, gender, histopathological diagnosis, clinical TNM staging and treatment. Outcome variables were local recurrence and survival. The statistical analyses were performed by a binary logistic regression analysis. The survival analysis was assessed through the Kaplan-Meier curve. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with head and neck sarcomas (male 39; female 30) were analyzed. The most common histologic subtypes were rhabdomyosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, and pleomorphic sarcoma. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 38.1 years old. A total of 31 patient died (sarcoma-related death) up to the end of the follow-up, with a mean follow-up rate of 1.63 years. A multivariate analysis revealed that anatomical site, treatment modality, histopathological diagnosis, and clinical stage of the disease were associated with specific survival, reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the impact of important clinical-pathological parameters on the overall prognosis of head and neck sarcomas.

Head and neck cancer in Styria : An epidemiologic and clinical audit.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with cancer of the head and neck is significantly improved by increased interdisciplinary cooperation. The main focus of this study was a comparison of epidemiologic factors (age, sex, origin, staging) of patients with head and neck cancer in Styria, with those for patients throughout Austria. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of collected archived tumor board protocols of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Graz included the patient's age, sex, area of residence, TNM stage, reasons for inoperability, comorbidities and performance status by ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group), was performed. This study focuses on 340 patients who presented with a head and neck malignancy for the first time. RESULTS: In the period from January 2014 to December 2015 a total of 252 men (74.1%) and 88 women (25.9%) with malignant head and neck tumors, were presented in the tumor board for the first time. The mean age at diagnosis was 63.4 years. In 45.5% the patients already demonstrated advanced tumor stages (T4 = 27.9%, T3 = 17.6%). Most newly diagnosed neoplasms were cancers of the oropharynx (24.1%), larynx (19.4%) and oral cavity (18.8%) and 36.5% were considered to be inoperable. Curative and palliative treatments were initiated in 83.2% and 16.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The region of south Styria showed a higher incidence of T3 and T4 tumors of the oropharynx than the average Austrian population. Measures to increase awareness of this problem should be initiated to support general otorhinolaryngologists and general practitioners in detecting oropharyngeal cancers at an earlier stage.

Patient-reported financial toxicity and adverse medical consequences in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Financial toxicity (FT) is a significant barrier to high-quality cancer care, and patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) are particularly vulnerable given their need for intensive support, daily radiotherapy (RT), and management of long-term physical, functional, and psychosocial morbidities following treatment. We aim to identify predictors of FT and adverse consequences in HNCA following RT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective survey study of patients with HNCA seen in follow-up at an academic comprehensive cancer center (CCC) or Veterans Affairs hospital between 05/2016 and 06/2018. Surveys included validated patient-reported functional outcomes and the COST measure, a validated instrument for measuring FT. RESULTS: The response rate was 86% (n = 63). Younger age and lower median household income by county were associated with lower COST scores (i.e., worse FT) on multivariable analysis (p = .045 and p = .016, respectively). Patients with worse FT were more likely to skip clinic visits (RR (95% CI) 2.13 (1.23-3.67), p = .007), be noncompliant with recommended supplements or medications (1.24 (1.03-1.48), p = .02), and require supportive infusions (1.10 (1.02-1.20), p = .02). At the CCC, patients with worse FT were more likely to require feeding tubes (1.62 (1.14-2.31), p = .007). Overall, 36% reported that costs were higher than expected, 48% were worried about paying for treatment, and 33% reported at least a moderate financial burden from treatment. CONCLUSION: HNCA patients experience substantial FT from their diagnosis and/or therapy, with potential implications for medical compliance, QOL, and survivorship care.

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with head and neck cancer in India: Protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous tumor at various anatomic sites and one of the most common cancers in India. Published and existing reports and studies highlight an alarming increase in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HNC. Despite its high incidence, there is a dearth of more precise estimates of reliable epidemiological data pertaining to HNC in India. AIM: This protocol aims to conduct a full-scale systematic review and meta-analysis on the HNC epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, and mortality) in 29 states and 7 union territories of India. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search for eligible published studies through PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Review. Cancer registries such as (but not limited to) World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research-National Cancer Registry Program, which is maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research, will be used for extracting relevant data using a standardized data collection form. The random-effects model of meta-analysis will be employed to aggregate the pooled estimates of relative ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Publication bias will be assessed using a funnel plot, and Egger's regression will be applied to test the symmetry of the funnel plot. DISCUSSION: This review will provide updated evidence of the current burden of HNC in India. This will guide future studies and cancer registry reports to provide holistically representative epidemiological data. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: In accordance with the guidelines, our systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and was assigned the registration number, CRD42017077482.

Myofascial component of cancer pain review.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common complaint of cancer patients, experienced by 38%-85% of patients. Some studies have shown a high incidence of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in cancer patients. AIMS: 1) To estimate the prevalence of MPS in cancer patients; 2) to examine the efficacy of current treatment options for MPS in cancer patients. METHODS: Narrative review. PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception until November 2017, for the keywords: cancer; cancer pain; breast cancer; mastectomy; lumpectomy; myofascial pain; trigger points. Trials of any methodological quality were included. All published material with an emphasis on randomized control trials was analyzed. RESULTS: MPS is prevalent in cancer patients who suffer from pain, with a prevalence of between 11.9% and 44.8% in those diagnosed either with neck or head or breast cancer. Clinical studies showed conflicting results. Four interventional studies found that specific treatment for MPS may reduce the prevalence of active myofascial trigger points and therefore decrease pain level, sensitivity, and improve range of motion (in shoulder) in cancer patients. Two recent randomized control trials showed that pressure release of trigger points provides no additional beneficial effects to a standard physical therapy program for upper limb pain and function after breast cancer surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend including the evaluation of myofascial pain in routine clinical examination of cancer patients suffering from pain. Future studies are needed to investigate the long- and short-term effect of MPS treatments in cancer patients.

Cancer and how the patients see it; prevalence and perception of risk factors: a cross-sectional survey from a tertiary care centre of Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cancer is rising but data available regarding prevalence of cancer and patient perception of the disease in Pakistan is limited. It is difficult to deal with Cancer if the main causes are negligence towards risk factors and bizarre myths. This study was aimed to investigate common cancer presentations at a government sector hospital and to gain insight into patient knowledge of the disease. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on cancer patients from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. A self-made questionnaire was used to assess the norms related to cancer prevalence in our society, associated myths, and the most common risk factors per them. RESULTS: A total of 402 participants consented to participate in the study (mean age 42.3 ± 15.07 years), 204(50.7%) were females and 190(47.3%) were illiterate. Biomass exposure was found in 147(37%), drug abuse in 132(33%) and smoking in 63(16%). We found 103(25.6%) had positive family histories of cancer. The most common primary tumor site was breast for females 98(48%) and Head and neck 66(33.3%) for males. Patients considered fate 328(82%), gutka 284(71%) and injuries 282(70%) as the most common causes for cancer; while 222(55.5%) considered black magic and 236(58.75%) considered evil eye as a risk factor for cancer. Cancer treatment caused significant financial stress in 376(93.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: Breast and head and neck cancers were found to be prevalent among patients. It was noted that patients are negligent in daily life regarding the consumption of substances that commonly cause cancer. Individuals had diminished knowledge and majority linked cancer to unrelated causes and myths like black magic and fate. Almost all the patients complained of severe financial stress imposed by the disease.

Clinically node-negative head and neck mucosal melanoma: An analysis of current treatment guidelines & outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze head and neck mucosal melanoma (MM) treatment patterns, and their association with survival, relative to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. MATERIAL & METHODS: Adult head and neck MM patients with clinically-staged T3/4aN0 disease were identified in a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database (2010-2014) and stratified into sinonasal cavity (SN) and oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx (non-SN) cohorts. RESULTS: We identified 353 SN and 79 non-SN MM cases. The majority of patients were treated with surgery (SN: 92.4%; non-SN 84.8%), within NCCN guidelines. Treatment within the non-SN MM NCCN recommendation of elective neck dissection (END) was approximately 26.6%. END is not recommended for SN MM and was not performed in 91.5% of cases. Radiotherapy (RT) is recommended in both SN and non-SN MM and was utilized in 63.5% of SN patients and 46.8% of non-SN patients. END was not independently associated with OS compared to surgery alone (SN HR: 1.350 [95% CI: 0.733-2.485]; non-SN HR: 3.460 [95% CI: 0.912-13.125]). RT was independently associated with improved OS in SN MM cases (HR: 0.679 [95% CI: 0.479-0.963]), but not in non-SN MM cases (HR: 0.824 [95% CI: 0.331-2.051]). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with head and neck MM are not treated within NCCN guidelines. The use of recommended END in non-SN patients is low. Similarly, adjuvant RT utilization is low. Our analysis shows that while greater use of RT may increase survival rates in this disease, the utility of END is unclear.

Taste disorders following cancer treatment: report of a case series.

PURPOSE: To present the findings of combined oral assessment and gustometry testing of a series of head and neck and hematologic malignancies in patients with self-reported taste change after cytotoxic therapies. METHODS: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM), and head and neck cancer (HNC) were evaluated for taste function. Chemical gustometry was conducted assessing chemosensory qualities that included sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, and spicy. NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 4.0 and the Scale of Subjective Total Taste Acuity (STTA) were used to describe taste symptoms. Saliva flow rates were measured to determine the presence of hyposalivation. Patients were provided treatment trials for taste dysfunction, including zinc supplements, or medications that included clonazepam, megestrol acetate, and the cannabinoid dronabinol. RESULTS: According to STTA, hematology cases reported the incidence of grades 2 and 3 taste disturbances as 60% and 40%, respectively. For HNC patients, the incidence of grades 2 and 3 was 44% each. Gustometry tests confirmed dysgeusia in all patients evaluated. In the hematology group, 80% of patients exhibited a decrease in sweet taste perception, and no patients correctly identified umami taste. In the HNC group, most patients could not identify salt taste, 66% of patients reported "no sensation" with spicy taste, bitter taste was reduced in some, and increased or altered in others, while only one patient could identify umami taste. In the hematologic and HNC patient groups, 80% and 66% reported grade 2 dry mouth, respectively, according to CTCAE 4.0. After treatment for taste dysfunction, 71% of all patients in the present study reported improvements in taste function. CONCLUSIONS: Persisting dysgeusia in cancer survivors may be assessed by patient report and taste testing. The taste most affected in our patients was umami. Treatment trials with current interventions for dysgeusia appeared effective and should be considered in cancer survivors. Understanding taste and flavor function during and following cancer treatment is important in developing rational prospective preventive and interventional strategies.