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Treatment Mortality in Head and Neck Cancer
Treatment mortality in head and neck cancer? Do HNC cancer patients die from the treatment they receive to treat their cancer? Yes, according to the research linked below, 1.4% of HNC cancer patients die from treatment.
I am a long-term survivor of an incurable blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Experience has taught me that while conventional oncology is central to cancer patients of all types and stages, there any evidence-based therapies that can help head and neck cancer patients enhance treatments while reducing the toxicity of that treatment.
Regardless of your HNC stage or treatment plan, research suggests that prehabilitation and gut microbiome enhancement can enhance outcomes.
Cancer Prehabilitation
The 5 things you NEED to know for better GUT HEALTH
I am a long-term survivor of an incurable blood cancer called multiple myeloma. In my experience, oncology often rushes the newly diagnosed cancer patient into treatment. If you take a couple of weeks to prehabilitate and enhance your gut microbiome, according to research, you will have better outcomes and fewer side effects.
Have you been diagnosed with head and neck cancer? What type? What stage? What symptoms are you experiencing? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment if you would like to learn more about evidence-based non-conventional therapies to manage your cancer.
Good luck,
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Treatment-related mortality in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation: results of a meta-analysis of published trials
Abstract
Objectives:
A combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is employed in the curative and postoperative treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancers (HNC). Integrated chemoradiation (CRT) treatments result in a non-negligible rate of severe toxic effects. Treatment-related death (TRD) is a crucial topic for physicians involved in the curative treatment of HNC. This meta-analysis aimed to better address TRD in locally advanced HNC patients treated with CRT through available and relevant literature.
Methods:
We performed a systematic review of the literature according to the PRISMA statement. The studies fulfilling these criteria included the following: concurrent or alternating CRT; both radical and postoperative settings; published from 2000 to 2020; involving 100+ patients; and available toxicity data. TRD was defined as death occurring from CRT start until a month from the end of CRT. Potential TRD predictors were evaluated.
Results:
In all, 65 studies were retrieved, with a total of 235 TRDs reported accounting for an overall risk rate of 1.4%. At meta-regression analysis, T stage and neutropenia grade >3 were potential predictors of higher TRD risk, both in univariate and multivariate analyses. Considering only the studies reporting at least one event, laryngeal/hypopharyngeal, oral cavity subsites and renal failure were significant predictors for TRD. The oropharyngeal subsite was protective in both analyses. None of the predictors proved to be independently correlated with TRD at multivariable analysis.
Conclusion:
CRT in HNC resulted in 1.4% of TRDs. TRD rate reduction may imply better patient selection and more intensive supportive care programs.
Treatment mortality in head and neck cancer Treatment mortality in head and neck cancer