Source: www.theepochtimes.com
Authors: Shan Lam, Nathan Amery

Head and neck cancer patients suffer many side effects from conventional treatments, research shows such side effects can be reduced by using the recently developed “immunotherapy” treatment.

Hong Kong Cancer Information Charity Foundation (CICF) announced the results of a questionnaire survey on “head and neck cancers” on Nov. 15. It was found that over 80 percent of the respondents experienced eating difficulties, including taste changes, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and oral ulcers; Respondents who received conventional treatment reported an average of 8.5 treatment side effects, and 43 percent had 10 or more side effects.

CICF pointed out that the emergence of “immunotherapy” in recent years has reduced the side effects of conventional treatments and urged the government to include related treatments in funding projects.

According to the CICF, head and neck cancers refer to cancer lesions in the head and neck, which can be divided into two types: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. They are named after the original organs, such as oral cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and throat cancer. Over the past ten years, the number of new cases of head and neck cancers in Hong Kong has continued to rise, and the average number of deaths is 210 each year, accounting for 30 percent of those new cases.

In the middle of 2022, the research team interviewed 97 head and neck cancer patients directly or through their caregivers in the form of an online questionnaire. The purpose was to explore the challenges in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancers, their understanding and cognition of the treatment plan, and their knowledge of the drug treatment.

The survey results show that nasopharyngeal cancer accounts for a large proportion of head and neck cancers, and one-quarter of the respondents have oral or both oral and nasopharyngeal cancers. More than 80 percent of the respondents are recovering, while 13 percent are still in or have progressed to metastases.

In addition, 95 percent of the respondents had received radiation therapy, and 75 percent had received chemotherapy. More than 80 percent experienced eating difficulties, including altered taste, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and oral ulcers.

Respondents indicated that conventional treatment methods, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy, resulted in more side effects and poorer quality of life.

An average of 8.5 treatment side effects were reported per respondent who had received conventional treatment, and 43 percent of respondents had 10 or more treatment side effects, and most side effects lasted for several months while hearing loss and dry mouth affected half of the patients for one year or more.

The survey also found that only six percent of patients with head and neck cancers had received “immunotherapy.” Most patients who have used immunotherapy have a positive attitude towards the treatment effect, but some patients think that the cost of treatment is too expensive.

Dr. Ka-On Lam, President-Elect of the Hong Kong Head and Neck Society and a specialist in clinical oncology, pointed out that chemotherapy and targeted therapy have been the first-line standard treatment for metastatic head and neck cancer for many years. Although the effect is good, there are many side effects.

The PD-1 inhibitor used in immunotherapy has greatly improved the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, reduced the side effects from conventional treatments, and lowered the risk of death by about 20 percent. It has now become a new option for first-line treatment.

Kong Sin-tung, a representative of the CICF, said that, at present, the government only subsidizes immunotherapy as a second-line treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

If patients want to apply for immunotherapy quickly, they must pay for it themselves. Patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who cannot afford it will miss the opportunity for treatment.

Therefore, CICF hopes that the government can include immunotherapy as a first-line treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the funding projects of the Samaritan Fund and the Community Care Fund as soon as possible to benefit more head and neck, cancer patients.