Liz Wilson

Development of a Telehealth Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Treatment for head and neck cancer precipitates a myriad of distressing symptoms. Patients may be isolated both physically and socially and may lack the self-efficacy to report problems and participate as partners in their care. The goal of this project was to design a telehealth intervention to address such isolation, develop patient self-efficacy, and improve symptom management during the treatment experience. Participatory action research and a review of the literature were used to develop electronically administered symptom management algorithms addressing all major symptoms experienced by patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers. Daily questions and related messages were then programmed into an easy-to-use telehealth messaging device, the Health Buddy(R). Clinician and patient acceptance, feasibility, and technology issues were measured. Using participatory action research is an effective means for developing electronic algorithms acceptable to both clinicians and patients. The use of a simple tele-messaging device as an adjunct to symptom management is feasible, affordable, and acceptable to patients. This telehealth intervention provides support and education to patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers.

HPV: A factor in organ preservation for locally advanced larynx and hypopharynx cancer?

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE To assess the interaction of HPV/p16 status and therapy rendered in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven consecutive patients receiving definitive treatment between 2009 and 2011 for locally advanced larynx or hypopharynx cancer with high-risk HPV and/or p16 testing performed were identified and retrospectively investigated. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were assessed. RESULTS Of 47 evaluable patients, there were 38 (81%) with laryngeal and 9 (19%) with hypopharyngeal tumors, 13 (28%) of which were found to be either HPV or p16 positive. At a median follow-up of 24 months, comparing HPV/p16+ versus HPV/p16- patients, there was no difference in OS, DFS, or LRFS. There was an improvement in 2-year DFS (60% vs 100%, P=.03) and LRFS (80% vs 100%, P=.08), in HPV/p16+ patients treated with chemo/RT versus surgery. There was an improvement in 2-year DFS (100% vs 68%, P=.04) and LRFS (100% vs 72%, P=.05) in HPV/p16+ versus HPV/p16- patients who received chemo/RT. CONCLUSIONS Patients with HPV/p16+ tumors fared more favorably with chemo/RT than up-front surgery, with improvements in DFS and LRFS. In patients treated with the intent of organ preservation therapy, HPV/p16+ patients had no observed treatment failures. HPV/p16 status should be taken into account when considering organ preservation for locally advanced larynx and hypopharynx cancers.

Treatment outcome in the residually positive neck after definitive chemotherapy and irradiation

Determine prevalence of viable malignancy in patients undergoing neck dissection (ND) for residual neck disease following concomitant chemotherapy and irradiation (chemo/xrt) for upper aerodigestive squamous carcinoma. To determine survival in groups with a neck complete response to those who had residual disease requiring neck dissection.

Depressive symptoms predict head and neck cancer survival: Examining plausible behavioral and biological pathways: Depression and Head and Neck Cancer Survival

Head and neck cancers are associated with high rates of depression, which may increase the risk for poorer immediate and long‐term outcomes. Here it was hypothesized that greater depressive symptoms would predict earlier mortality, and behavioral (treatment interruption) and biological (treatment response) mediators were examined.

Risk factors for hemorrhage after chemoradiation for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

IMPORTANCE Knowledge of the risk factors for oropharyngeal hemorrhage after chemoradiation therapy will guide clinicians in monitoring high-risk patients in order to prevent a life-threatening complication. OBJECTIVE To determine risk factors for the development of oropharyngeal hemorrhage following chemoradiation therapy without surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN Retrospective review of medical records of patients treated during the period January 2005 through December 2010. SETTING University of Louisville Hospital. PARTICIPANTS The study population comprised 139 patients with a diagnosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated with chemoradiation therapy without surgery. All patients received primary treatment from our institution. Those with recurrent tumors or prior oropharyngeal resections, with the exception of tonsillectomy, were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who did not hemorrhage following treatment (n = 129) and those who developed oropharyngeal hemorrhage (n = 10), defined as hemorrhage necessitating procedural intervention. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Four clinical variables were measured: T category, radiation therapy method, weight loss, and age. RESULTS Results from logistic regression analysis showed that significant risk factors for hemorrhage were advanced T category (odds ratio [OR], 8.40 [95% CI, 2.44-46.61]; P < .001), radiation therapy method (OR, 79.94 [95% CI, 2.64-<999.90]; P = .008), weight loss (OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.79-0.98]; P = .01), and increased age (OR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.86-0.99]; P = .03). After multiple logistic regression analyses, only advanced T category remained statistically significant (adjusted OR, 6.6 [95% CI, 1.2-∞]; P = .02). Results from Kaplan-Meier survival analysis on all patients showed that those who hemorrhaged had significantly shorter survival time than those who did not (P = .04). However, after multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards regression model, hemorrhage no longer remained a significant factor (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS For patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation without surgery, advanced T category is the most important determinant of developing oropharyngeal hemorrhage; furthermore, hemorrhage occurs in the presence of either recurrent and/or persistent disease or radiation necrosis. Survival analysis indicates that development of hemorrhage is a poor prognostic marker for overall survival.

Depressive symptoms and actigraphy‐measured circadian disruption predict head and neck cancer survival

Depressive symptoms have demonstrated prognostic significance among head and neck cancer patients. Depression is associated with circadian disruption, which is prognostic in multiple other cancer types. We hypothesized that depressive symptoms would be associated with circadian disruption in head and neck cancer, that each would be related to poorer 2‐year overall survival, and that relationships would be mediated by tumor response to treatment.