Prediction of Radiation-Induced Oropharyngeal Mucositis Using a Swallowing-Induced Breakthrough Pain Mucosal Contouring Method in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients: An Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating a new way to predict severe oropharyngeal mucositis caused by radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer common in southern China. The study focuses on a mucosal contouring method based on swallowing-induced breakthrough pain, which showed better prediction results than previous methods. This prospective, multicenter, observational study aims to further evaluate the effectiveness of this new predictive approach. The study observes patients with NPC who are undergoing radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Researchers will use the new mucosal delineation method to assess radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis by monitoring swallowing-induced breakthrough pain. This method aims to identify patients at high risk for severe mucositis to help guide timely interventions, although no specific treatments are provided within the study. Participants will be monitored throughout the study period, which can last up to three years. Researchers will collect continuous records of mucositis severity and self-reported pain during swallowing. The study measures the accuracy of the predictive model using various statistical tools like AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. Safety and other important predictors of mucositis will also be evaluated, with no additional treatments or interventions required for participants.

A Mucosal Contouring Method Based on Swallowing-induced Breakthrough Pain for Radiation-induced Oropharyngeal Mucositis