Symptom management during and after treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer: A review of the literature and areas for future research

Patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer are at risk for poor outcomes due to the multi-modal nature of treatment and the potential for treatment-related toxicity. Although treatment with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy has drastically reduced the need for a debilitating and disfiguring surgery, treatment related toxicities are often difficult to control. Acute toxicities include mucositis, skin desquamation, depression, cachexia, fatigue and nausea and vomiting. Failure to control these symptoms can adversely affect the patient's ability to complete their treatment regimen. Although there are many promising new treatments in the area of symptom management for this patient population, a review of the literature reflects the need for more research.