Ethyol® Improves Dry Mouth Without Affecting Survival in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
11/14/2005 staff CancerConsultants.com According to a recent article published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, the agent Ethyol® (amifostine) protects against xerostomia (abnormally dry mouth) while not affecting long-term outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer who undergo radiation therapy. Approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with head and neck cancer every year. Cancers of the head and neck include cancers of the nasal cavity, and sinuses, mouth, and throat. According to the American Cancer Society, 11,000 people died from head and neck cancer in 2004. Standard treatment for head and neck cancer is largely determined by the stage (extent to which the cancer has spread) and by the specific locations within the head or neck area where the cancer has spread. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy tend to be commonly used. Unfortunately, side effects caused by radiation therapy (ulcers, dry mouth, burning of the tissue at the site where radiation is aimed) are common. In addition to drastically reducing the quality of life of patients, these side effects often cause a delay or cancellation of administration of chemotherapy or additional radiation therapy. Postponing of missing just one dose of therapy may result in compromised outcomes, including a worsening of overall survival. Therefore, complete prevention of these side effects is crucial in providing optimal outcomes. Xerostomia refers to a condition of an abnormally dry mouth. Patients with severe xerostomia have very limited or virtually no saliva production. This results in difficulty eating, speaking, and [...]