The influence of radiation dose on taste impairment in a prospective observational study cohort of oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Background: To analyze the influence of radiation dose on late radiation-associated taste impairment in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using the taste bud bearing tongue mucosa as organ at risk.

Material And Methods: This study is part of an ongoing, prospective observational study. Cancer-free OPC survivors with at least 24 months from IMRT were included in this analysis.

The impact of tongue-deviating and tongue-depressing oral stents on long-term radiation-associated symptoms in oropharyngeal cancer survivors.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the use of oral stents during intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is associated with long-term patient reported symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Data was obtained from a prospective observational study of disease-free head and neck cancer survivors. Radiation-associated patient reported symptoms were assessed using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Head and Neck module (MDASI-HN).