Transfusion as a predictor of recurrence and survival in head and neck cancer surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: There is mixed evidence regarding the association of perioperative blood transfusion to disease recurrence and mortality in head and neck cancer patients. Moreover, few investigations have examined the effects of leukocyte-depleted (leukodepleted) red cell transfusion. The presented study was undertaken to ascertain whether perioperative transfusion of leukodepleted blood is associated with recurrence and survival in head and neck cancer surgery patients. METHODS: The records of all patients having undergone head and neck surgery for malignant disease between October 1996 and October 2002 were reviewed. Hospital, blood bank, and cancer registry database records were reviewed and data were recorded onto a standardized computer spreadsheet. The primary outcome variable was the number of perioperatively transfused units of allogeneic leukodepleted blood. Multivariate analysis and Cox regression methods were employed. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Recurrence and mortality rates were significantly different between transfusion and no-transfusion groups, in favour of the no-transfusion group. In addition to age, T stage, and N stage, multivariate analysis revealed leukodepleted blood transfusion to be an independent predictor of both recurrence (odds ratio 1.6) and survival (hazard ratio 1.5). CONCLUSION: Perioperative transfusion of leukodepleted blood is associated with higher recurrence rates and decreased survival in head and neck cancer surgery.

Nutrition impact symptoms: key determinants of reduced dietary intake, weight loss, and reduced functional capacity of patients with head and neck cancer before treatment.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and relationship of symptoms with reduced dietary intake, weight, and functional capacity in patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS: Three hundred forty-one patients were prospectively screened with the patient-generated subjective global assessment before treatment. Logistic analysis was used to relate symptoms to reduced dietary intake, weight, and functional capacity. Cumulative hazard analysis was performed to determine the time and risk of weight loss of each symptom. Survival analysis was performed with Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Anorexia, dysphagia, mouth sores, and others were significant predictors of reduced dietary intake and weight. Symptom presence accelerated the time and probability of weight loss. Body mass index < or = 18.5 related to overall survival (p value = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms present before treatment may adversely affect the dietary intake, weight, and functional capacity of patients. Symptom treatment and management is critical to weight loss prevention.

A randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavior therapy for tinnitus.

This study is a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial testing the effect of a brief, "manualized" cognitive-behavioral group therapy on distress associated with tinnitus, quality of well-being, psychological distress including depression, and internal focus. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) included training in activity planning, relaxation training and, primarily, cognitive restructuring. Sixty-five participants were recruited, and 41 completed treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of manualized group CBT either immediately or after an 8-week waiting period. Participants completed outcome measures at the time of their random assignment and at 8, 16, and 52 weeks later. Repeated-measure analysis of covariance revealed significant group-by-time interactions on measures of tinnitus distress and depression, indicating that CBT led to greater improvement in those symptoms. The current results suggest that CBT, applied in a group format using a manual, can reduce the negative emotional distress, including depression, associated with tinnitus.