Original Articles
Evaluation of Role of Pre-Radiotherapy Haemoglobin Levels as a Prognostic Indicator in Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients on Concurrent Chemoradiation | |
Rashika Sachan, Gajendra Pal Singh, Sumit Kumar | |
Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent a diverse group of tumors that encompass various anatomical sites, including theoropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and additional subregions. Anemia has shown considerable contribution in hypoxia in tumor and so making it radiation resistant but still exact co-relation needs to be investigated. Hence the present study was conducted to evaluate the role of pre-radiotherapy haemoglobin levels as a prognostic indicator in advanced head and neck carcinoma patients on concurrent chemoradiation. Materials &Methods: A total of 50 patients with presence of LAHNC undergoing treatment with concurrent chemoradiation were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups: Anaemic and non-Anaemic, based on a pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin (Hb) level of ≤ 12 g/dl. A comprehensive assessment was conducted for each patient, which included detailed medical history, physical examination, clinical and endoscopic evaluations, as well as blood and radiological tests. The methodology focused solely on the hemoglobin levels recorded prior to the initiation of radiation therapy. The radiation therapy approach was tailored to the individual needs of each patient. The outcomes were subsequently evaluated and correlated with the pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin levels. All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software. Results: A total of 50 patients were evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 55.3 years. 66 percent of the patients were males while the remaining were females. 38 percent of the patients were of rural residence while the remaining were of urban residence. Complete response was seen in 58 percent of the patients while incomplete response was seen in 42 percent of the patients. Among patients with complete response, Pre-RT Hb levels were more than or equal to 12 g/dL, noted in 22 patients (75.86 percent) while among patients with incomplete response, Pre-RT Hb levels were more than or equal to 12 g/dL was noted in 5 patients (23.81 percent). Significant correlation of Pre-RT Hb with outcome was seen establishing its role as prognostic factor. Conclusion: Reduced hemoglobin levels significantly contribute to the delayed healing of normal tissues, the severity of mucositis, and the experience of fatigue. A decrease in pre-treatment hemoglobin may result from inadequate nutritional status, the interplay between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors, or inherent differences in tumor biology. |
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