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LATE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENT AMONG WOMEN 5-YEAR SURVIVORS OF HEAD
AND NECK CANCER.
Logan, Henrietta, PhD; Wolter, Katie, BS; Mendenhall, William, MD;
Tomar, Scott, DMD, DrPH; Bartoshuk, Linda, PhD; Community Dentistry
and Behavioral Science, University
of Florida.
Background: With improvements in early detection and treatment, larger
numbers of cancer patients are living longer than before and experiencing
the consequences of their life saving treatment. With time it has become
apparent that not all of these consequences are positive.
Methods: The purpose of this telephone survey was to assess the effects of head
and neck cancer treatment among female five-year cancer survivors (n=28) compared
to matched controls. Two types of control groups were used to assess differences
in function and quality of life, friend nominated (n=24) and random digit dial
(n=29).
Results: There were no significant differences on the mean age of the 3 groups
64(13.9), peer 56(12.2), RDD 64(13.6). There were no significant differences
among the three groups on smoking patterns, depression (CESD), fatigue (BFI),
alcohol use (AUDIT), trait anxiety (STAI), self consciousness (PSCS). The women
cancer survivors reported significantly higher oral pain scores (UCSF pain scale)
(p<.00001) and significantly lower quality of life (FACT) (p<.0001) than
the two control groups. Questions about changes in taste during the past 5 years
showed that compared to controls the women patients reported that sour (p<.001)
and bitter (p<.02) tastes were more intense whereas there were no differences
between the controls and the patient survivors on salt taste or sweet taste. Thirty
nine percent of the cancer survivors reported a metallic taste in their mouth
for no apparent reason compared to 13% of the peer control and 10% of the RDD
control (p< .01).
Conclusion: These results suggest that as a part of treatment, the 9th cranial
nerve may have been damaged releasing taste inhibition on the 7th nerve and pain
inhibition on the 5th nerve. This explanation is consistent with the location
of the tumors most of which were at the base of the tongue, soft palate, or tonsil
region.
Sponsor: NCI
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