Article ID: jslsm-45_0019
The head and neck region contains important organs that influence patient quality of life (QOL) by facilitating mastication, swallowing, breathing, and speech. Local control of head and neck cancer in these areas can maintain QOL while prolonging survival. It also has a significant cosmetic impact. Inability to address a cancer by local control alone may decrease QOL. We conducted a retrospective study of patients at our institution to assess the impact of Alluminox treatment for head and neck cancer on QOL. This article describes our study and presents our conclusions regarding the impact of Alluminox treatment on QOL. In nine patients treated with Alluminox, no significant changes were observed in any QOL endpoints before or after treatment. For unresectable head and neck cancer, Alluminox treatment did not decrease QOL and was associated with a good local disease control rate. Safety was also acceptable. Aggressive use of Alluminox treatment as an option may prolong survival in head and neck cancer.
