Variations in concerns reported on the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) in head and neck cancer patients from different health settings across the world

Background: The aim was to collate and contrast patient concerns from a range of different head and neck cancer follow-up clinics around the world. Also, we sought to explore the relationship, if any, between responses to the patient concerns inventory (PCI) and overall quality of life (QOL). Methods: Nineteen units participated with intention of including 100 patients per site as close to a consecutive series as possible in order to minimize selection bias. Results: There were 2136 patients with a median total number of PCI items selected of 5 (2-10). “Fear of the cancer returning” (39%) and “dry mouth” (37%) were most common. Twenty-five percent (524) reported less than good QOL. Conclusion: There was considerable variation between units in the number of items selected and in overall QOL, even after allowing for case-mix variables. There was a strong progressive association between the number of PCI items and QOL

Rare Late Mandibular Metastasis in Follicular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma Thyroid: ‘Resurgence of the Sleeping Tumour’

Cancer of the thyroid gland is the most common endocrine malignancy constituting for less than 1% of all reported human cancers 1. The propensity of occurrence of thyroid carcinomas is two to four times more in females as compared to males with a median age at diagnosis being 45–50 years [1,2]. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common histological type of thyroid cancer and accounts for more than 80 % of thyroid malignancies. Classical PTC (cPTC) is the most common (80%) sub-type of papillary thyroid carcinoma followed by follicular variant (FVPTC) which is found in 9–22.5% of patients [3].&nbsp;</p

Effectiveness of Fluoride Varnish Application as Cariostatic and Desensitizing Agent in Irradiated Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of three-month fluoride varnish application on radiation caries and dental sensitivity and to assess compliance to three-month fluoride varnish application. Materials and Methods. 190 irradiated head and neck cancer patients were randomly selected and reviewed retrospectively. Oral prophylaxis, fluoride varnish application, and treatment of dental caries were done prior to radiation therapy. Patients were followed up at every three months for dental evaluation and fluoride varnish application. Decayed-missing-filling-teeth indices, dental sensitivity, and compliance to fluoride varnish application were noted for fifteen months and analyzed statistically. Results. Significant increase in decayed-missing-filling-teeth index was seen at nine (P=0.028), twelve (P=0.003) and fifteen (P=0.002) months follow-up. However, the rate of increase in decayed-missing-filling-teeth indices was 1.64/month which is less than the rate mentioned in the literature (2.5/month). There was no significant effect of sex (P=0.952) and surgery (P=0.672) on radiation caries, but site of disease (P=0.038) and radiation dose (P=0.015) were found to have statistically significant effect. Dental sensitivity decreased from 39% at 3 months to 25% at 15 months followup. 99% compliance to fluoride varnish application was seen till six months followup which decreased to 46% at fifteen months. Conclusion. Three-month fluoride varnish application is effective in decreasing radiation caries and sensitivity and has good compliance

Effectiveness of Fluoride Varnish Application as Cariostatic and Desensitizing Agent in Irradiated Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of three-month fluoride varnish application on radiation caries and dental sensitivity and to assess compliance to three-month fluoride varnish application. Materials and Methods. 190 irradiated head and neck cancer patients were randomly selected and reviewed retrospectively. Oral prophylaxis, fluoride varnish application, and treatment of dental caries were done prior to radiation therapy. Patients were followed up at every three months for dental evaluation and fluoride varnish application. Decayed-missing-filling-teeth indices, dental sensitivity, and compliance to fluoride varnish application were noted for fifteen months and analyzed statistically. Results. Significant increase in decayed-missing-filling-teeth index was seen at nine ( = 0.028), twelve ( = 0.003) and fifteen ( = 0.002) months follow-up. However, the rate of increase in decayed-missing-fillingteeth indices was 1.64/month which is less than the rate mentioned in the literature (2.5/month). There was no significant effect of sex ( = 0.952) and surgery ( = 0.672) on radiation caries, but site of disease ( = 0.038) and radiation dose ( = 0.015) were found to have statistically significant effect. Dental sensitivity decreased from 39% at 3 months to 25% at 15 months followup. 99% compliance to fluoride varnish application was seen till six months followup which decreased to 46% at fifteen months. Conclusion. Three-month fluoride varnish application is effective in decreasing radiation caries and sensitivity and has good compliance

Long Term Rehabilitation of a Total Glossectomy Patient

Malignant tumours of the oral cavity that require resection of the tongue result in severe deficiencies in speech and deglutition. Speech misarticulation leads to loss of speech intelligibility, which can prevent or limit communication. Prosthodontic rehabilitation involves fabrication of a Palatal Augmentation Prosthesis (PAP) following partial glossectomy and a mandibular tongue prosthesis after total glossectomy [1]. Speech analysis of a total glossectmy patient rehabilitated with a tongue prosthesis was done with the help of Dr. Speech Software Version 4 (Tiger DRS, Inc., Seattle) twelve years after treatment. Speech therapy sessions along with a prosthesis helped him to correct the dental sounds by using the lower lip and upper dentures (labio-dentals). It was noticed that speech intelligibility, intonation pattern, speech articulation and overall loudness was noticeably improved