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2011 SROA Press Releases
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IMRT Proves Effective in Reducing Dry Mouth From Radiation, But Tumor Reaction UncertainIMRT Proves Effective in Reducing Dry Mouth From Radiation, But Tumor Reaction Uncertain
August 2, 2010 — In assessing whether IMRT reduces the side effects of radiation in head and neck treatments, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently announced that the modality is effective in reducing dry mouth, xerostoma, but that it is not proven to reduce or eliminate tumors.
Damage to the salivary glands reduces a patient’s ability to chew, swallow and breath, along with affecting taste, smell and hearing. The condition also can significantly alter a patient's appearance and voice, the AHRQ report stated. “However, the report did not find evidence that IMRT is more successful than any other kind of radiation therapy in reducing tumors.”
In a story on Aug. 2, 1010, the AHRQ announced the results of a new comparative effectiveness review that studied the effects of different radiation treatments on long-term side effects. The study, Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Radiotherapy Treatments for Head and Neck Cancer, examined radiation used to treat head and neck cancers. The researchers included radiation therapy to the mouth, larynx and sinuses. Carcinoma of the head and neck, excluding brain tumors, account for up to 5 percent of cancers diagnosed in the United States yearly, with an estimated 52,190 new cases in 2009, when esophageal cancer is included.
The report also examined current evidence on proton beam radiation therapy, but found insufficient proof of its benefits or potential side effects. In an AHRQ Technical Brief published last fall and covered in the summer 2010 SROA newsletter, researchers found limited evidence that proton beam radiation therapy was safer or more effective than IMRT, 3-D and 2-D methods.
The report is part of AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program, with the agency planning to publish plain-language summary guides about radiation therapy for head and neck cancer for patients, clinicians and policymakers, the story reported. Summary guides on numerous clinical topics such as medicines to reduce the risk of breast cancer and choosing pain medicine for osteoarthritis can be found at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.
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