Palliative care for patients with head and neck cancer: "I would like a quick return to a normal lifestyle"

Referral Patterns of Outpatient Palliative Care among the Head and Neck Cancer Population

Introduction Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience unique physical and psychosocial challenges that impact their health and quality of life. Early implementation of palliative care has been shown to improve various health care outcomes.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the patterns of referral of patients with HNC to outpatient palliative care as they relate to utilization of resources and end-of-life discussions.

Methods We performed a retrospective review of 245 patients with HNC referred to outpatient palliative care services at two Louisiana tertiary care centers from June 1, 2014, to October 1, 2019. The control group consisted of those that were referred but did not follow-up. Reasons for referral were obtained, and outcome measures such as emergency department (ED) visits, hospital readmissions, and advance care planning (ACP) documentation were assessed according to predictive variables.

Results There were 177 patients in the treatment group and 68 in the control group. Patients were more likely to follow up to outpatient palliative care services if referred for pain management. Hospital system, prior inpatient palliative care, and number of outpatient visits were associated with an increased likelihood for ED visits and hospital readmissions. Those in the palliative care treatment group were also more likely to have ACP discussions.

Conclusion Early implementation of outpatient palliative care among patients with HNC can initiate ACP discussions. However, there are discrepancies in referral reasons to palliative care and continued existing barriers to its effective utilization.

Clinical Excellence in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Examples from the Published Literature

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

To apply the domains of clinical excellence, as published by the Miller-Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence, to the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) as a framework for evaluating and improving clinical excellence.

METHODS

A search of PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) databases was performed and 229 publications were reviewed.

RESULTS

Case reports and other articles were selected that exemplify each of the distinct domains of clinical excellence within our specialty.

CONCLUSIONS

The Miller-Coulson Academy's domains of clinical excellence are relevant to OHNS and can provide a framework for fostering clinical excellence in otolaryngologists. The many examples of excellent care by otolaryngologists found in the published literature can inspire otolaryngologists to provide outstanding care to all patients consistently and to advance our specialty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A Laryngoscope, 131:E2153-E2158, 2021.

Management of catastrophic haemorrhage in palliative head and neck cancer: creation of a new protocol using simulation

Catastrophic haemorrhage or carotid blowout a rare but devastating consequence of head and neck cancer. In most cases, this represents a terminal event, and the patient is prescribed pre-emptive analgesia and anxiolytics. There is anecdotal evidence that due to the time taken to prepare the medications that patients do not receive these drugs prior to death. We aimed to identify the drug to patient time using simulated catastrophic haemorrhage simulations. We used the current protocol for this and also proposed a new grab-bag with preprepared anxiolytic and anagelsic medications. Each scenario was repeated 16 times. The mean time for drug administration using the current policy was 124 s compared with 48 s when the grab-bag was used (p<0.01). The new protocol also reduced the variability in the drug to patient time. We aim to implement this new protocol on the head and neck ward.

Aspiration Prevention Surgery under Local Anesthesia for Palliative Care in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Report of Two Cases

Aspiration prevention (AP) surgery may improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients with severe dysphagia. However, not all patients can endure this type of surgery under general anesthesia because of their poor status. Herein, we describe the cases of 2 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who underwent AP surgery for palliative care. Although both patients had tracheostomy due to severe dysphagia and respiratory impairment and frequently needed suction, they were successfully managed with AP surgery under local anesthesia. A tracheostoma was reshaped to be sufficiently large for an airway to be secured without a cannula. Their respiratory failure gradually improved, and suction frequency markedly decreased after surgery; thus, they could receive medical treatment at home. When patients with HNC under palliative care have a tracheal cannula and cannot vocalize, AP surgery under local anesthesia is an option to improve their QOL.

Palliative treatment of patients with inoperable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer, using a low-dose and personalized chemotherapeutic regimen

Inoperable or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is known to be associated with a poor patient prognosis. First line therapies include a Taxol, platinum-based antineoplastic and fluorouracil (FU) treatment regimen (TPF) or a platinum-based antineoplastic, FU and EGFR inhibitor treatment regimen (PFE). The toxicity of these regimens is one of the major limiting factors, particularly for palliative treatment. The present study is a retrospective study of 15 patients with HNSCC, where the treatment goal was palliative. Of the 15 patients, 8 received a TPF, while 7 received a PFE. A total of 129 treatment cycles were administered with a median of 9 cycles (range, 3–14). Chemotherapy began with low doses and was subsequently titrated up based on tolerance and response. Positive responses were noted with the lower doses compared with the conventional doses, and maximal doses were not required. The median dose of cisplatin, paclitaxel and 5-FU administered was 40 mg/m², 80 mg/m² and 360 mg/m²/day for 5 days, respectively. Cetuximab was used at a standard dose. At the initial follow-up (mean, 64 days; 3 cycles), a 100% disease control rate (DCR) and 80% overall response rate (ORR) was achieved. A positive response, 60% DCR and 60% ORR, was maintained until the late stages of the study (mean, 217 days; 9 cycles). Following termination of chemotherapy after >9 cycles, 4 patients remained disease free for ~1 year. A total of 3 patients exhibited a pathologic complete response despite radiologically exhibiting residual disease. The median progression-free survival time was 10.03 months and the overall survival time was 15.77 months. The only grade 3 hematologic toxicity noted was neutropenia in 3 (20%) patients. Grade 3 vomiting was noted in 1 (6.67%) patient and grade 3 stomatitis was noted in 1 (6.67%) patient. Due to low toxicity patients exhibited improved tolerance to this approach, particularly in terms of palliative care. Furthermore, these results are in contrast to the axiom that increased doses are more effective.

National treatment patterns in patients presenting with Stage IVC head and neck cancer: analysis of the National Cancer Database

Head and neck cancer patients presenting with distant metastases are generally considered incurable. Treatment patterns and survival by primary disease site and therapy have not been described. Retrospective cohort analysis of 2525 patients in the National Cancer Database (2003–2006). Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed. Combined locoregional and systemic therapy was the most common treatment regimen (39.2%), followed by no treatment (23.9%), locoregional (19.0%), and systemic treatment (17.8%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated decreased survival was associated with age 65–79 years hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.80), Medicaid/uninsured status (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13–1.42), Medicare/other government insurance (HR 1.21, 95% 1.07–1.38), treatment at a nonacademic/research program (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07–1.27), and Charlson comorbidity score of 1 (HR 1.33, 95% 1.19–1.48). Compared to systemic therapy alone, receiving locoregional and systemic therapy was associated with decreased risk of death (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65–0.83). Only 14.6% and 0.6% of patients were recorded as receiving palliative therapy or being enrolled in a clinical trial, respectively. Significant treatment diversity exists in distantly metastatic head and neck cancer. Those who received combination locoregional and systemic therapy were more likely to have improved overall survival, but important factors in treatment selection are unknown. A small proportion of patients was found to receive either palliative therapy or was enrolled in a clinical trial, although these data likely underestimate the true proportions.

Prevalence of oral mucositis, dry mouth, and dysphagia in advanced cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Oral symptoms can be a sign of an underlying systemic condition and have a significant impact on quality of life, nutrition, and cost of care, while these lesions are often studied in the context of cancer treatment. However, information regarding oral symptoms in advanced cancer patients is poor. The aim of this multicenter study was to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of oral symptoms in a large population of advanced cancer patients.

METHODS

A consecutive sample of patients with advanced cancer for a period of 6 months was prospectively assessed for an observational study. At time of admission, the epidemiological characteristics, surgery-radiotherapy of head and neck, and oncologic treatments in the last month were recorded. The presence of mucositis, dry mouth, and dysphagia was assessed by clinical examination and patients' report and their intensity recorded. Patients were also asked whether they had limitation on nutrition of hydration due to the local condition.

RESULTS

Six hundred sixty-nine patients were surveyed in the period taken into consideration. The mean age was 72.1 years (SD 12.3), and 342 patients were males. The primary tumors are listed in Table 1. The prevalence of mucositis was 22.3 %. The symptom relevantly reduced the ingestion of food or fluids and was statistically associated with the Karnofsky level and head and neck cancer. The prevalence of dry mouth was 40.4 %, with a mean intensity of 5.4 (SD 2.1). Several drugs were concomitantly given, particularly opioids (78 %), corticosteroids (75.3 %), and diuretics (70.2 %). Various and nonhomogeneous treatments were given for dry mouth, that was statistically associated with current or recent chemotherapy, and hematological tumors. The prevalence of dysphagia was 15.4 % with a mean intensity of 5.34 (SD 3). Dysphagia for liquids was observed in 52.4 % of cases. A high level of limitation for oral nutrition due to dysphagia was found, and in 53.4 % of patients, alternative routes to the oral one were used. Dysphagia was statistically associated with the Karnofsky level and head and neck cancer. A strong relationship between the three oral symptoms was found.

CONCLUSION

In advanced cancer patients, a range of oral problems significantly may impact on the physical, social, and psychological well-being of advanced cancer patients to varying degrees. These symptoms should be carefully assessed early but become imperative in the palliative care setting when they produce relevant consequences that may be life-threatening other than limiting the daily activities, particularly eating and drinking.

Palliative Care for Salivary Gland Dysfunction Highlights the Need for Regenerative Therapies: A Review on Radiation and Salivary Gland Stem Cells

Radiotherapy remains the major course of treatment for Head and Neck cancer patients. A common consequence of radiation treatment is dysfunction of the salivary glands, which leads to a number of oral complications including xerostomia and dysphagia, for which there is no existent cure. Here, we briefly describe the current palliative treatments available for patients undergoing these conditions, such as oral lubricants, saliva substitutes, and saliva stimulants. None of these options achieves restoration of normal quality of life due to their limited effectiveness, and in some cases, adverse side effects of their own. Other therapies under development, such as acupuncture and electrostimulation have also yielded mixed results in clinical trials. Due to the ineffectiveness of palliative care to restore quality of life, it is reasonable to aim for the development of regenerative therapies that allow restoration of function of the salivary epithelium following radiation treatment. Adult stem cells are a necessary component of wound healing, and play important roles in preserving normal function of adult tissues. Thus, the present review mainly focuses on the effects of radiation on adult stem cells in a variety of tissues, which may be at play in the response of salivary glands to radiation treatment. This is of clinical importance because progenitor cells of the salivary glands have shown partial regenerative potential in mouse transplantation assays. Therefore, understanding how these progenitor cells are affected by radiation offers potential for development of new therapies for patients with xerostomia.

Incurable recurrences in patients with oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Carcinomas of the oropharyngeal and hypopharynx are difficult to treat because of their aggressive tendency to metastasize and their high recurrence rate.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 79 patients with recurrences of oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinomas was performed. The courses of disease from recurrence diagnosis to the valuation date or death were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median survival for patients classified as incurable at recurrence diagnosis amounted to 8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5-10 months), patients initially classified as curable at the time of recurrence diagnosis survived an estimated 12 months (95% CI, 8-22 months). No significant differences regarding the survival after diagnosed recurrence could be observed depending on the tumor location or tumor stage.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge about the courses of disease and especially the remaining lifetime after diagnosed incurability could facilitate the planning of the remaining lifetime in order to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Improving end-of-life care for head and neck cancer patients

Despite improvements in the treatment of head and neck cancer, many patients still succumb to their disease. A litany of medical, psychosocial and ethical challenges arise in managing the end-of-life experiences within this patient population. In this article, we attempt to review existing data about the end-of-life experiences of this cohort, extrapolate relevant data from other cancer patients, and suggest the most promising avenues for additional research and practice improvement for terminal head and neck cancer patients. Clinical decision-making for patients dying of head and neck cancer requires proactive consideration of quality of life, functionality, symptom control and other patient-centered objectives, and frequently benefits from palliative care team involvement. Additional research aimed toward optimizing the end of life experience of head and neck cancer patients and their families is greatly needed.

Advanced and rapidly progressing head and neck cancer: good palliation following intralesional bleomycin

The authors herein report the case of a 61-year-old man undergoing adjuvant therapy for locally advanced laryngeal cancer, who developed parastomal recurrence in his radiation field around his tracheotomy site, while he was undergoing radiation therapy, and compromised the secure placement of his tracheotomy tube and maintenance of his upper airway. MRI restaging and biopsy confirmed recurrence and progressive disease in his mediastinum. He underwent local therapy with intralesional bleomycin with good palliation, and ability to maintain the patency of his upper airway.

End-of-life care among head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

This study is designed to (1) determine the perceived quality of care received by patients with head and neck cancer at the end of their lives, in order to (2) better anticipate and improve upon the experiences of future patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Single-institution, academic tertiary care medical center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A validated survey instrument, the Family Assessment of Treatment at the End of life (FATE), was administered to families of patients who died of head and neck cancer (n = 58). The primary outcome was the overall FATE score. Independent variables included clinical characteristics, treatments received, and the care provided at the time of death.

RESULTS

Overall FATE scores and the domains assessing management of symptoms and care at the time of death did not vary by disease status (logoregional vs distant metastasis) at the end of life (P = .989). The location of death in the home or in hospice (vs hospital) significantly improves scores in all 3 categories (P = .023). Involvement of a palliative care team improved the care at the time of death (P < .001), and palliative treatments (radiation and/or chemotherapy) improved scores in managing symptoms and care at the time of death (P = .011, P = .017).

CONCLUSION

The FATE survey is a useful measure of the end-of-life experience of head and neck cancer patients. Palliative treatments of head and neck cancer, death outside of the hospital, and palliative care team involvement all improve the end-of-life experience in this population.

Brachytherapy for tongue cancer in the very elderly is an alternative to external beam radiation

BACKGROUND

The result of curative treatment for very elderly patients with tongue carcinoma has not been reported to date. We retrospectively reviewed the results of brachytherapy in 125 the patients aged over 75 years.

METHODS

The results of brachytherapy in 125 patients, 75 years old or older, with Stage I or II squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue were reviewed. The 125 cases consisted of 31 Stage I and 94 Stage II cases; 67 patients were under 80 years old and 58 were over 80 years old. All patients were treated using low-dose-rate brachytherapy ((198)Au/(222)Rn: 59 cases; (192)Ir: 38 cases; (226)Ra/(137)Cs: 28 cases).

RESULTS

None of the patients stopped treatment during the course of brachytherapy. The 3 year and 5 year control rates of the primary lesions were both 86%. Post-brachytherapy neck node metastasis was diagnosed in 43 cases and radical neck dissection was performed for 24 cases (21 of the 24 cases were under 80 years old). As a result, the 7 year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate for patients aged under 80 years old was 70% and 41% for those over 80 years old (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The brachytherapy for elderly patients with tongue cancer was safe, and the control of the primary lesion was almost the same as in younger patients. However, modalities available to treat neck node metastasis are limited. More conservative surgical approaches combined with post-operative irradiation may be advocated for neck node metastasis for elderly patients with tongue cancer.

The influence of nursing in head and neck cancer management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nurses can play an essential role in the treatment of head and neck cancer and the care of patients and their families. The role and influence of nursing is dependent on available evidence to fulfill that role and on the sociopolitical and organizational factors that shape the context for nursing and interdisciplinary practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nurses influence treatment for head and neck cancer through symptom management and tobacco cessation to improve quality of life and patient-reported outcomes. Nurses and interdisciplinary teams in the United States and Europe report successful, novel nurse-led care models that optimize influence on management.

SUMMARY

Current research suggests that nurses can influence head and neck cancer treatment through emphasis on symptom management, tobacco and alcohol cessation, and on patient and family education and care coordination. Nonetheless, evidence for practice remains scant. Only continued research, employing qualitative and quantitative approaches, conducted by nurse and interdisciplinary investigator teams will advance head and neck cancer management and optimize influence of nursing within it. Novel models for nursing care that are well fit into the organizations and society in which care is delivered may further improve care and patient outcomes. Evaluation of such models is further required to document improvements.

Psychosocial adjustment of family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors

PURPOSE

This study examined the psychosocial adjustment and needs of family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors at 6-24 months posttreatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Family caregivers of head and neck cancer survivors (N=89) completed mailed questionnaires that assessed demographic variables, mental health, quality of life, and practical and informational needs.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight percent of caregivers reported moderate to high distress. However, quality of life scores for the entire sample (N=89) were better than the scores reported in initial validation studies on caregivers of patients undergoing active cancer treatment. Greater time spent caregiving was associated with worse psychological well-being, but also more positive adaptation to caregiving. In addition, 39% of caregivers reported that all of their practical and informational needs were being met.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that research and clinical efforts are needed to address the psychosocial concerns of this population.

Efflux-mediated antifungal drug resistance

Fungi cause serious infections in the immunocompromised and debilitated, and the incidence of invasive mycoses has increased significantly over the last 3 decades. Slow diagnosis and the relatively few classes of antifungal drugs result in high attributable mortality for systemic fungal infections. Azole antifungals are commonly used for fungal infections, but azole resistance can be a problem for some patient groups. High-level, clinically significant azole resistance usually involves overexpression of plasma membrane efflux pumps belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) or the major facilitator superfamily class of transporters. The heterologous expression of efflux pumps in model systems, such Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has enabled the functional analysis of efflux pumps from a variety of fungi. Phylogenetic analysis of the ABC pleiotropic drug resistance family has provided a new view of the evolution of this important class of efflux pumps. There are several ways in which the clinical significance of efflux-mediated antifungal drug resistance can be mitigated. Alternative antifungal drugs, such as the echinocandins, that are not efflux pump substrates provide one option. Potential therapeutic approaches that could overcome azole resistance include targeting efflux pump transcriptional regulators and fungal stress response pathways, blockade of energy supply, and direct inhibition of efflux pumps.

[Palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer]

Progressive cancer leads to loss of quality of life. This is particularly true for head and neck cancers as they dramatically affect the patients and in addition to this psychological burden cause a lot of physical disabilities. Patients struggle against retreat and helplessness of their environment, feel ostracized and not any longer being a human. In advanced diseases, surgery is not the first choice of treatment. Ostensible control of symptoms, care of relatives and notice of psychosocial facts are the most important therapeutic issues in these patients. They gain the greatest benefit from palliative care with good control of symptoms. This is highlighted by the following case reports.