Clinical outcomes of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with antibiotics for radiation-induced mucositis: a retrospective study. Issue 3 (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weng, JingJin; Wei, Jiazhang; Li, Min; Lu, Jinlong; Qin, Yangda; Liu, Fei; Xiong, Weiming; Qu, Shenhong
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 48:Issue 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- antibiotic -- radiation-induced mucositis -- prognosis -- red blood cell count -- hemoglobin -- survival; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060519874899
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of antibiotic administration on radiation-induced oral and oropharyngeal mucositis, and on the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for patients with NPC with grade 1/2 or 3/4 mucositis. Forty-two patients with grade 3/4 mucositis received antibiotics. Univariate survival analysis was assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival curves, survival curves were compared using log-rank tests, and multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression. Results: A total of 463 patients with NPC were included in the study (194 grade 1/2 mucositis, 269 grade 3/4 mucositis). Univariate analyses identified T-stage, N-stage, clinical stage, type of treatment, and antibiotic use as factors affecting overall and disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis also determined that T-stage, N-stage stage, type of treatment, and antibiotic usage were independent factors affecting overall and disease-free survival. Mucositis improved in 32 of the 42 patients who received antibiotics (76.19%). However, red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels decreased in all patients after antibiotic treatment. Conclusions: Antibiotics may be effective for the treatment of severe radiation-induced mucositis (grade 3/4) during chemoradiotherapy, but may potentially adversely affect the prognosis of patients with NPC.