International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Gaurav Singh, Amiya Agrawal, Siddhartha Chandel, Parul Singh, Nishi Singh

Abstract
Background: Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that starts within the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands. Radiotherapy is required in most of the cases. Mucositis is most common side effects seen in patients undergoing radiotherapy which is manifested in 80% of cases. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy on mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Materials & Methods: It included 40 patients undergoing radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (Study) included 20 patients who were instructed for standard oral care for mucositis such as use of a soft toothbrush with nonabrasive toothpaste and dental floss twice a day. They were instructed to suck ice cubes before and after each radiotherapy session for five minutes during the study period. Group II (Control) group included 20 patients were received instructions for standard oral care such as use of a soft toothbrush with nonabrasive toothpaste and dental floss twice a day and was left to routine hospital care for mucositis. WHO mucositis scale and patient – judged mucositis grading was assessed in 1^st day, midst (7^th day) and latest (14^th day) of radiotherapy in all patients. Results: Group I had mean age of 44.12± 2.4 years and group II had 42.35± 2.8 years. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). Group I had 8 males and 12 females and group II had 10 males and 10 females. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). In group I, 18 were married and 2 were non married. In group II, 19 were married and 1 was single. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). In group I, 12 had habit of smoking and 8 had no smoking habit similarly in group II, 11 had habit of smoking and 9 had no smoking habit. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). In group I, the site of tumor was lip (4), oral cavity (6), neck (3) and pharynx (7). In group II, the site of tumor was lip (5), oral cavity (7), neck (4) and pharynx (4). The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). In group I, 14 were literate and 6 were illiterate. In group II, 12 were literate and 8 were illiterate. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). Group I had less mucositis at 1^st day, midst (7^th day) and latest (14^th day) as compared to group II. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Patient judged mucositis grading was significantly (P < 0.05) lowered in group I at 1^st day (0), midst day (0.14) and latest day (0.18) as compared to group II, 1^st day (0), midst day (1.4) and latest day (1.1). In group I, at latest day only 4 patients had pain while in group II, 12 patients had pain. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cryotherapy is found to be effective in reducing mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. This can be considered a preventive measure in patients undergoing radiotherapy.