The effectiveness of clinical practice guideline for nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cancer to reduce acute treatment toxicity from concurrent chemoradiation.

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical practice guideline (CPG) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) on reducing acute toxicity during concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). The prospective study enrolled 74 patients diagnosed of NPC and OPC that underwent concurrent CRT. The feasibility of CPG was evaluated. Each checkpoint in CPG is feasible with 76% compliance of three in four points and 24% complete allpoints. Overall grade 3 or 4 skin reaction and mucositis are 9 and 8% respectively. CPG that consisted of preventive methods to reduce acute skin and oral mucosa toxicities in NP and OP patients is easy to follow with 24 to 100% compliance. This can be feasible with consideration about immobilization device and energy treatment machine.