Int Dent J
-
Comparative Study
Pain management during radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer patients: single-institution experience.
Radiotherapy (RT) is a radical therapeutic option for patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). It induces an acute postradiation reaction that may cause significant pain. The aim of this study was to analyse pain occurrence and intensity, as well as type and effectiveness of analgesic treatment, in OPC patients undergoing RT or radiochemotherapy (RT-CT). ⋯ High incidence of pain during RT and RT-CT calls for increased awareness of the importance of pain monitoring and treatment during RT of OPC patients. The analgesic treatment had to be adjusted individually.