RESUMEN
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on head and neck tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected on 41 patients who received radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck. Radiotherapy was the exclusive treatment in 19.5% of cases, with surgery in 24.4%, chemotherapy in 48.8%, and with both in 7.3%. The toxicity requiring use of orgotein was: oropharynx mucositis (26.8%), dysphagia (34.2%), or both (39%), in grade 2 or more according to the RTOG scale. Orgotein (8 mg i.m.) was administered every 48 hrs until radiotherapy was finished. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 92.5%; a complete response was obtained in 12 patients (30%) and partial in 25 (62.5%). The reduction in toxicity at the end of radiotherapy was one grade in 18 patients (45%), 2 grades in 16 (40%), 3 in 2 patients (5%), and 4 grades in the only patient with grade 4 acute toxicity. A statistically significant influence was shown in obtaining complete response: laryngeal tumor location (P = 0.037), duration of radiotherapy of more than 53 days (P = 0.002), discontinuation for non-toxic reasons (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We consider that orgotein is highly effective in dealing with acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on the head and neck area.