Gustatory impairment in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation.

Objectives: To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure.

Research Design: Prospective, longitudinal study.

Methodology: Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation.

The influence of race on the attitudes of radiation oncology patients towards clinical trial enrollment.

Objectives: Enrollment of adult cancer patients in clinical trials remains low, particularly in the minority population. Understanding patient attitudes towards clinical trials during the recruitment process may enhance accrual. Unfortunately, data describing patient attitudes towards clinical trials are limited, particularly in the radiation oncology clinic setting.