Biafine Cream to Reduce Side Effects of Radiation Therapy in Patients Receiving Treatment for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 1969-12-31
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells, but may cause skin irritation and inflammation. Biafine cream may be effective in lessening side effects caused by radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to determine the effectiveness of Biafine cream in reducing side effects of radiation therapy in patients receiving treatment for head and neck cancer.

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
• Collaborator: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, including: Oral cavity Oropharyngeal Hypopharyngeal Laryngeal Radiotherapy indicated as primary treatment or treatment after primary surgical resection Primary field to receive at least 50 Gy No skin rash, ulceration, or open wound in treatment field No tumor involvement of the skin

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy:

Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: No known skin allergy or sensitivity to Biafine No inflammatory or connective tissue disorders of the skin No history of mental incompetence, including psychological disorders or drug dependency disorders, that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Concurrent chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy to treatment field Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Prior surgery allowed Other: No other concurrent investigational therapy No concurrent participation on other RTOG clinical trials No concurrent amifostine (concurrent pilocarpine allowed)