Patients with mouth and throat cancer in trial

AUCKLAND DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD

ADHB Media Release
17 September 2009

Patients with mouth and throat cancer in clinical trial

More than 50 cancer patients in New Zealand and Australia have volunteered to take part in a clinical trial being run from Auckland City Hospital’s Radiation Oncology Department.

The trial involves using humidification during radiotherapy for cancers of the mouth and throat area to keep internal areas affected by radiation moist. It was developed after earlier observations by hospital staff that some patients reported relief from symptoms when using a humidifier.

Dr Andrew Macann, Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology at Auckland City Hospital says the trial is aiming to recruit a total of 210 patients.

“Patients receiving radiotherapy for cancers of the mouth and throat area often experience quite discomforting side effects, such as mouth ulcers and a build-up of mucous,” said Dr Macann.

“From the patient’s point of view, this is about the toughest form of treatment we do in oncology as the ulcers can be present for several weeks.

“It is hoped the trial will show that humidification (keeping the affected areas moist) will lessen some of the symptoms associated with mouth ulcers and help them heal sooner. We’re also hoping it may help reduce the chronic long term effects that some patients experience after radiotherapy such as swallowing problems.”

Dr Macann says the principle behind using humidification is that moisturising wounds helps them to heal faster.

Patients on the trial receive a humidifier from Fisher and Paykel Healthcare to use in the home for approximately three months during and immediately after radiotherapy.

Aucklander Tony Edmonds, who volunteered to take part in the trial, said he was able to get through the first six of his seven weeks of treatment without pain killers. Mr Edmonds said he slept through every night with the humidifier delivering moisture to his throat and sometimes used it during the day.

Dr Macann says humidification therapy has been under development at Auckland City Hospital for several years with the current trial having now expanded to Christchurch Hospital as well as seven radiation oncology centres in Australia.

The trial is funded through a NZ Foundation for Research Science and Technology grant and is being run in conjunction with the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) which undertakes clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand.

The trial was presented last week at a TROG conference in Brisbane focusing on quality of life issues.

“It’s a randomised study meaning that half the patients receive humidification compared with a control group who receive what is considered the best available current standard of care for mouth ulcers,” said Dr Macann.

“There is a lot of effort in cancer research now to not just focus on the actual treatment, but help patients achieve a decent quality of life after treatment,” he said.

ENDS