Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: the reduction of radiation-induced trismus

Efficacy of matrix rhythm therapy (MaRhyThe©) over conventional therapy on radiation induced trismus-A pilot randomised control trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Prevalence of radiation induced trismus in head and neck cancer (HNC) is 38% to 42% globally. Radiation induced trismus depends on the dosage of the radiation therapy and the surgical procedure. Myofascial release (MFR) and Matrix rhythm therapy (MaRhyThe©) are techniques used to treat the myofascial pain and muscular restriction. The present study aimed to compare the effect of MFR and MaRhyThe© on pain, mouth opening, TMJ disability index (TDI), Gothenburg Trismuus Questionnaire (GTQ), Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale (FIGS) and quality of life in participants with Radiation induced trismus.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

About 30 participants in age group of 18 to 65 years diagnosed with radiation induced trismus were included in the study. All the participants were randomly allocated in 2 groups MFR group and MaRhyThe© group. Both the group received structured exercise program. Primary outcomes were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Vernier Caliper reading for maximum mouth opening. Secondary outcome measure viz. GTQ, TDI, FIGS and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-HN) all obtained values were analyzed at the end of 4th week.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated significant improvement in terms of reduction in pain, improvement in maximum mouth opening and in GTQ, TMD, FIGS, and FACT-HN scores in all the participants in both group (p ≤ 0.05). However, the groups showed equal effectiveness in the treatment of radiation induced trismus.

Longitudinal functional outcomes and late effects of radiation following treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The study objectives were: provide longitudinal data on upper aerodigestive tract function and late complications following IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and elucidate factors that might predict a worse outcome. The hypotheses were: (1) Despite advances such as IMRT, radiation will cause significant functional decline and late complications that often progress or arise years after treatment. (2) Larger radiation volume will be associated with poorer outcomes.

METHODS

Longitudinal, observational cohort study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with retrospective analysis of prospectively collected, population-based data. Late sequelae and validated measures of overall performance, speech, and swallowing were documented pre-treatment and 3,6,12, 24, 36 and ≥ 60-months post-treatment.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients treated curatively with radiation (N = 9) or chemoradiation (N = 33) were followed for a median 74 months. Functional outcomes showed an initial nadir at 3 months associated with acute effects of treatment, followed by initial recovery. There was subsequent functional decline years post-treatment with advancing dysphagia/aspiration, trismus, muscle spasm, and hypoglossal nerve palsy. Univariable regression analysis revealed that increasing high-dose radiation volumes (PTV 70 Gy) were associated with increased likelihood of less than solid diet (Performance Status Scale (PSS)-Normalcy of Diet score < 50; p = 0.04), and reduced PSS-Understandability of Speech (p = 0.005). The probability of poor outcome increased with time. Eleven percent of patients were tube feed dependent at ≥ 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in radiation delivery, late effects of radiation remain common. Higher radiation volumes are associated with poorer outcomes that worsen over time.

Advances and Controversies in the Management of Osteoradionecrosis After Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: A Narrative Review

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a painful and debilitating serious late complication following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) often requiring surgical resection of the jaw and complex multidisciplinary management. An important aggravating factor for mandibular ORN is surgical trauma, commonly dental extractions or implant placement following head and neck radiotherapy. The evidence on the treatment protocols ranges from conservative management to more radical surgical strategies including the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The available evidence on the preventive approaches for ORN includes prophylactic dental care prior to radiotherapy, the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment and prophylactic antibiotics for post-radiotherapy extractions. However, the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been questioned recently signifying poor understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition and therapies targeting the fibroatrophic process have become a focus of ORN treatment. Implementing recent IMRT radiation techniques has also shown evidence to reduce the incidence of ORN. This review provides an insight into the variations in definition and classification of the ORN, the controversies in its pathophysiology and the advances in the prevention and management.

Etiopathogenesis of Trismus in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: An Exploratory Literature Review

Trismus refers to a person's inability to normally open his or her mouth. Trismus can occur as a symptom due to tumor ingrowth or it can occur postsurgical following the treatment for head and neck cancer. Radiation-induced trismus is also a relatively common oral complication. This review aimed at reviewing the etiopathogenesis of trismus in patients with head and neck cancer. Of the 16 publications included after final screening, of which one was a nonrandomized control trial, one a randomized control trial, 6 prospective cohort studies, and 8 retrospective cohort studies. Among them, 6 articles addressed the possible mechanism for trismus related to tumor ingrowth, 8 articles suggested the likely reason for trismus in patients who had undergone radiation therapy and 2 articles addressed the postsurgical cause for trismus. This review highlights the possible involvement of infratemporal fossa as a predetermining factor for developing trismus related to tumor extension. The molecular mechanism of radiation-induced fibrosis is well studied in the literature.

Predictors for trismus in patients receiving radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Trismus, a restricted mouth opening in head and neck cancer patients may be caused by tumor infiltration in masticatory muscles, radiation-induced fibrosis or scarring after surgery. It may impede oral functioning severely. The aims of our study were to determine: (1) the incidence of trismus at various time points; and (2) the patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics that predict the development of trismus after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients using a large database (n = 641).

METHODS

Maximal mouth opening was measured prior to and 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months after radiotherapy. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were analyzed as potential predictors for trismus using a multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

At six months after radiotherapy, 28.1% of the patients without trismus prior to radiotherapy developed trismus for the first time. At subsequent time points the incidence declined. Over a total period of 48 months after radiotherapy, the incidence of trismus was 3.6 per 10 person years at risk. Patients who had tumors located in the oral cavity, oropharynx or nasopharynx, and the salivary glands or ear, and who had a longer overall treatment time of radiotherapy, were more likely to develop trismus in the first six months after radiotherapy. Maximal mouth opening was a predictor for developing trismus at all time points.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of trismus is 3.6 per 10 person years at risk. Tumor localization and overall treatment time of radiotherapy are predictors for developing trismus the first six months after radiotherapy. Maximal mouth opening is a significant predictor for developing trismus at all time points. Regular measurements of maximal mouth opening are needed to predict trismus.

Trismus in patients with head and neck cancer: etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management

BACKGROUND

Trismus indicates severely restricted mouth opening of any aetiology. A mouth opening of 35 mm or less should be regarded as trismus. Aim of this study was to review the etiopathogenesis, incidence, treatment and prevention of trismus in patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE OF REVIEW

Trismus is frequently seen in patients suffering from malignant tumours of the head and neck. The reported prevalence of trismus in those patients varies considerably in the literature and ranges from 0 to 100% depending on the tumour site and extension. Trismus may worsen or remain the same over time, or the symptoms may reduce, even in the absence of treatment. When a patient presents with trismus after tumour treatment, it is important to determine whether the trismus is the result of the treatment, or is the first sign of a recurrence. Restricted mouth opening may impede inspection of the oral cavity as needed for dental care, and particularly for oncologic follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Mouth opening after radiotherapy (RT) decreases on average by approximately 20% compared to mouth opening prior to RT. The prevalence of trismus increases with increasing doses of RT to mastication structures. The use of intensity-modulated RT seems to lower the percentage and severity of RT-induced trismus. Treatment of trismus can be conservative (with either medical or physical therapy) or surgical. Exercise therapy is the mainstay of treatment and exercise should start as soon as possible after treatment. The prevention of trismus, rather than its treatment, is the most important objective.

Radiation-induced temporo-mandibular joint disorder in post-radiotherapy nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: assessment and treatment

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in southern China, and its incidence in Hong Kong is relatively high. Radiotherapy is the mainstay treatment for NPC due to its relatively high radiosensitivity and deep‐seated anatomical position, which is not readily accessible by surgery. Although the technique of radiotherapy in NPC has been advancing and offers promising treatment outcome, complications around the irradiation areas are inevitable and the quality of life of the post‐radiotherapy patients is often compromised. Trismus, which is defined as the restricted mouth opening or jaw movement due to the disorder of temporo‐mandibular joint (TMJ), is one of the possible late complications for radiotherapy of NPC and is found in 5–17% of the post‐radiotherapy (post‐RT) patients. Trismus at early stage may only affect the speech, but in severe cases nutritional intake and oral hygiene condition may deteriorate seriously. This article reviewed the possible causes of radiation‐induced TMJ damage, the various assessments including imaging modalities and possible treatments. The conclusion is that the availability of simple, yet effective examinations for trismus is essential for delaying the progression and restoring TMJ functions. Although there is no absolutely effective treatment for trismus, many supportive, restorative and palliative management are possible under different clinical situations.

Treatment improvement and better patient care: which is the most important one in oral cavity cancer?

Due to substantial improvement in diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity cancer, a better understanding of the patient care needs to be revised. We reviewed literature related to OCC and discussed current general management approaches and related long-term radiation toxicities to emphasize the multidisciplinary team involvement. New technical modalities and patient quality of life parameters should be an integral and paramount state in the clinical evaluation to significantly contribute to reduce secondary side effects.

Mandibular condyle erosion and sclerosis in pediatric patients treated with radiotherapy to the head and neck region

Head and neck radiotherapy in children is associated with significant acute and late morbidities. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and trismus has been widely reported in patients receiving radiotherapy for sarcomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma; however, erosion of the mandibular condyle is a rare sequela of modern radiotherapy techniques. In this report, we present three cases of erosion of the temporomandibular joint amongst pediatric patients treated with radiotherapy for distinct head, neck and brain malignancies.

Radiation-induced trismus in the ARTSCAN head and neck trial

Trismus, a well-known sequelae after treatment of head and neck cancer, decreases a patient's oral function and quality of life. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate the long-term prevalence of radiation-induced trismus in patients treated for head and neck cancer according to two different fractionation schedules; and 2) model a dose-response relationship for trismus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients were recruited from the Swedish ARTSCAN trial, a prospective randomised multicentre study comparing conventional and accelerated fractionation. A total of 124 patients agreed to a clinical ENT examination 21-127 months (median 66 months) after beginning radiation therapy. Trismus-related scores were assessed using the EORTC H&N35 Quality of Life questionnaire. The TheraBite(®) range of motion scale was used to measure maximal interincisal distance. The dose-response relationship for structures important for mastication and the temporomandibular joints was investigated by normal tissue complication probability modelling.

RESULTS

No significant differences in patient-reported trismus or maximal interincisal distance were found between the two trial arms. Patient-reported moderate to high scores regarding trismus increased from 3% at the start of radiation therapy to 25% at the long-term follow-up. Maximal interincisal distance correlated significantly with patient-reported scores of trismus. The best dose-response fit to the endpoint data was found for the dose to the ipsilateral masseter.

CONCLUSIONS

Trismus is a persistent complication after radiotherapy with 3D-conformal radiation therapy. We found no difference between the severity and prevalence of trismus between conventional and accelerated fractionation, but a significant correlation between the absorbed dose to the mastication structures and opening of the mouth. Further prospective studies may determine whether a reduced dose to structures important for mastication using intensity-modulated radiation therapy will reduce problems with trismus.

Prophylactic training for the prevention of radiotherapy-induced trismus - a randomised study

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy-induced trismus (RTIT) is a debilitating condition without any proven effective treatment. This study investigates the effectiveness of prophylactic training to prevent RTIT during and up to 12 months after completed RT in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), also investigating the incidence of RTIT.

METHODS

Sixty-six consecutive patients from two RT clinics in Sweden were randomised into one of two groups: training with TheraBite(®) Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System(™) or a control group. Maximum interincisal openings (MIO) were recorded at baseline and once a week during treatment, three, six and 12 months after completed RT. Training frequency was recorded by patients in a log book.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in MIO between the intervention and control groups at any of the measurement points. Patients in both groups maintained their normal variation in MIO at 12 months after completed RT. A small group of patients in the control group had a 17% mean decrease in MIO by week 6 compared to baseline and improved their MIO by using the training programme. There was a significant mean difference in MIO from baseline to week 6 (3 mm, p = 0.018), and month 6 (2.7 mm, p = 0.040), for patients receiving 3D conformal radiotherapy. There was a significant difference in MIO between patients treated with RT and concurrent chemotherapy compared to patients with RT only at 12 months (p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HNC undergoing high dose RT do not need to be burdened with an intense prophylactic training programme during RT and up to 12 months after completed RT. MIO measurements during RT and up to 12 months after completed RT are recommended to identify a small risk group who are an exception and may need a training programme.

Clinical effectiveness, toxicity, and failure patterns of helical tomotherapy for postoperative oral cavity cancer patients

Background

The outcome of postoperative high- and intermediate-risk oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients receiving helical tomotherapy (HT) remains limited.

Materials and methods

Between November 2006 and November 2012, 53 postoperative high- and intermediate-risk OCC patients treated with HT were enrolled.

Results

The 4-year locoregional, local, and regional control rates were 66%, 76.4%, and 94.3%, respectively. The 4-year locoregional control rates of oral tongue and buccal mucosa cancer were 88.3% and 37.1%, respectively (P=0.012). Eleven (20.8%) patients experienced locoregional failure. In-field failure occurred in six of 53 (11.3%) in the primary area and three of 53 (5.7%) in the regional lymph-node area. No marginal failure was noted. Two of 53 (3.8%) experienced out-of-field failure. The rates of grade 3 dermatitis, mucositis, and dysphagia were 11%, 34%, and 13%, respectively. No grade 3 xerostomia was noted. Grade 2 xerostomia was 33% at month 6 and declined to 0 at month 48. A rate of 56% of grade 2 trismus at month 6 was noted, and declined to around 30% after 2 years. No grade 3 trismus was noted after 2 years.

Conclusion

HT as a postoperative modality provided satisfying results, especially for xerostomia and trismus, and was impressive in high- and intermediate-risk OCC patients receiving postoperative HT.

Predicting the severity and prognosis of trismus after intensity-modulated radiation therapy for oral cancer patients by magnetic resonance imaging

To develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicators to predict trismus outcome for post-operative oral cavity cancer patients who received adjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), 22 patients with oral cancer treated with IMRT were studied over a two-year period. Signal abnormality scores (SA scores) were computed from Likert-type ratings of the abnormalities of nine masticator structures and compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA test between groups. Seventeen patients (77.3%) experienced different degrees of trismus during the two-year follow-up period. The SA score correlated with the trismus grade (r = 0.52, p<0.005). Patients having progressive trismus had higher mean doses of radiation to multiple structures, including the masticator and lateral pterygoid muscles, and the parotid gland (p<0.05). In addition, this group also had higher SA-masticator muscle dose product at 6 months and SA scores at 12 months (p<0.05). At the optimum cut-off points of 0.38 for the propensity score, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 93% for predicting the prognosis of the trismus patients. The SA score, as determined using MRI, can reflect the radiation injury and correlate to trismus severity. Together with the radiation dose, it could serve as a useful biomarker to predict the outcome and guide the management of trismus following radiation therapy.

A randomized prospective study of rehabilitation therapy in the treatment of radiation-induced dysphagia and trismus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of rehabilitation therapy on radiation-induced dysphagia and trismus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

43 NPC patients after radiotherapy were included. Patients were randomly assigned to either the rehabilitation group or a control group. Both groups were subjected to routine treatment, while the rehabilitation group also received rehabilitation therapy for 3 months. The severity of dysphagia was assessed using the water swallow test, while trismus was evaluated with the LENT/SOMA score and the interincisor distance (IID). The water swallow test, the LENT/SOMA score, as well as IID for both groups before and after treatment were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

After treatment, the rehabilitation group displayed a significant improvement in swallowing function, while the control group did not. The efficacy rate (percentage of patients with excellent or effective results) of rehabilitation group was higher than that of control group (77% vs. 43%), and the difference was statistically significant (ϰ(2) = 5.32, p = 0.02). IID pretreatment and posttreatment did not show much difference in the rehabilitation group, while in the control group IID significantly decreased posttreatment (1.1 ± 0.36 cm vs.1.8 ± 0.56 cm, p = 0.001). Although the mean IID in patients of both groups decreased after the 3 month follow-up, the decrease in the rehabilitation group was less than that of the control group (0.19 ± 0.5 cm vs. 0.69 ± 0.56 cm, p = 0.004 ). The efficacy rate of trismus in the rehabilitation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (64% vs. 28%, ϰ(2) = 5.31, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Rehabilitation training can improve swallow function and slow down the progress of trismus in NPC patients following radiotherapy.

Surgical management of radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: report of 14 cases

BACKGROUND

Radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis is a rare and serious late complication in irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Treatment of radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis with surgery has been seldom thoroughly investigated.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 14 patients with radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis treated with surgical intervention.

RESULTS

Radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis presented as obvious cystic formation or as heterogeneous enhanced nodule on MRI. Among 3 patients with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET-CT scan, increased uptake of (18)F-FDG was observed in 2 cases. Four patients were anesthestized nasotracheally and 1 was through tracheostomy during surgery because of other radiation complications, including trismus and skull base osteoradionecrosis. The temporal approach was applied in all cases, with the removal of bone flap in 11 patients. During follow-up, 1 patient died of exhaustion.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery benefits selected patients with NPC with radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis. The goals of surgery are to relieve the increased intracranial pressure and to establish the accurate diagnosis.

Jaw dysfunction related to pterygoid and masseter muscle dosimetry after radiation therapy in children and young adults with head-and-neck sarcomas

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between jaw function, patient and treatment variables, and radiation dosimetry of the mandibular muscles and joints in children and young adults receiving radiation for soft-tissue and bone sarcomas.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-four pediatric and young adult patients with head-and-neck sarcomas were treated on an institutional review board-approved prospective study of focal radiation therapy for local tumor control. Serial jaw depression measurements were related to radiation dosimetry delivered to the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, masseter muscles, and temporomandibular joints to generate mathematical models of jaw function.

RESULTS

Baseline jaw depression was only influenced by the degree of surgical resection. In the first 12 weeks from initiation of radiation, surgical procedures greater than a biopsy, administration of cyclophosphamide containing chemotherapy regimes, and large gross tumor volumes adversely affected jaw depression. Increasing dose to the pterygoid and masseter muscles above 40 Gy predicted loss of jaw function over the full course of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and treatment factors are related to initial and subsequent jaw dysfunction. Understanding these complex interactions and the affect of specific radiation doses may help reduce the risk for jaw dysfunction in future children and young adults undergoing radiation therapy for the management of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas.

Oral symptoms and functional outcome related to oral and oropharyngeal cancer

Purpose

This study aimed to assess: (1) oral symptoms of patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer; (2) how patients rank the burden of oral symptoms; (3) the impact of the tumor, the treatment, and oral symptoms on functional outcome.

Methods

Eighty-nine patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer were asked about their oral symptoms related to mouth opening, dental status, oral sensory function, tongue mobility, salivary function, and pain. They were asked to rank these oral symptoms according to the degree of burden experienced. The Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ) was used to assess functional outcome. In a multivariate linear regression analyses, variables related to MFIQ scores (p ≤ 0.10) were entered as predictors with MFIQ score as the outcome.

Results

Lack of saliva (52%), restricted mouth opening (48%), and restricted tongue mobility (46%) were the most frequently reported oral symptoms. Lack of saliva was most frequently (32%) ranked as the most burdensome oral symptom.

For radiated patients, an inability to wear a dental prosthesis, a T3 or T4 stage, and a higher age were predictive of MFIQ scores. For non-radiated patients, a restricted mouth opening, an inability to wear a dental prosthesis, restricted tongue mobility, and surgery of the mandible were predictive of MFIQ scores.

Conclusions

Lack of saliva was not only the most frequently reported oral symptom after treatment for oral or oropharyngeal cancer, but also the most burdensome. Functional outcome is strongly influenced by an inability to wear a dental prosthesis in both radiated and non-radiated patients.