Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / Tuberculosis is the world’s leading cause of death from a single infective agent. The World Health Organisation has declared the disease a “global emergency”. Extrapulmonary presentations form a major proportion of new cases, especially since the advent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Therefore, it is important that oral health care workers are aware of tuberculosis in the head and neck region and its varied manifestations. This study reports on one hundred and four patients diagnosed with tuberculosis and with head and neck tuberculosis lesions.The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which tuberculosis presents in the head and neck region. It was a descriptive, retrospective, record-based study on a cohort of tuberculosis patients that presented with head and neck tuberculosis at private practices in the Durban area over a fourteen month period. A structured data capture sheet was the method chosen for recording the data.The majority of the sample (89.4%) had tuberculosis of the head and neck lymph nodes, five (4.8%) had tuberculosis of the tonsil, two (1.9%) had tuberculosis of the larynx, two (1.9%) had tuberculosis of the ear, one (1%) had parotid gland tuberculosis and one (1%) had tuberculosis of the nose. The records indicate that excision biopsy and histopathological examinations were used to make a diagnosis. A third (33.7%) of the patients were confirmed with human immunodeficiency virus infection.A high index of suspicion of tuberculosis is important in the differential diagnosis of neck swellings, hoarseness and otorrhoea and in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients with an enlarging neck mass. A biopsy is usually necessary for diagnosis. Successful outcome depends upon appropriate chemotherapy and timely surgical intervention when necessary. Oral health care workers need to be fully cognizant of all the various presentations of head and neck tuberculosis to allow early diagnosis and quick commencement of appropriate treatment.

No description available.

Les cancers tête et cou ou des voies aérodifestives supéreiures (VADS) représentent le sixième cancer le plus fréquent dans le monde entier. Le traitement des stades avancés de ces tumeurs est basé sur le traitement chirurgical combinée à la radiothérapie +/- à la chimiothérapie. Toutefois , la survie à 5 ans reste faible et le développement de nouvelles thérapies ciblées est nécessaire. Le F14512 combine un noyau épipodophyllotoxine de ciblage de la topoisomérase II avec un groupement spermine introduit afin de permettre de véhiculer la molécule par le STP. Ce groupement spermine facilite la captation sélective par les cellules tumorales par l'intermédiaire du système de transport de polyamine (STP) suractivé dans les cellules tumorales. Nous rapportons ici l'évaluation du F14512 sur des lignées cellulaires cancéreuses des VADS.Quatre lignées cellulaires représentatives de l'anatomie de la tête et du cou ont été utilisés : Il s'agissait des lignées Fadu ( pharynx ), SQ20B ( larynx ), CAL33 et CAL27 ( base de la langue ). L'activité du STP et la spécificité ont été évaluées par la cytométrie en flux et la microscopie confocale en utilisant une sonde fluorescente le F17073 contenant le même fragment spermine que le F14512. La cytotoxicité, seule ou en association avec des agents chimiothérapeutiques standards (cisplatine, 5FU), et les effets de radio-sensibilisation ont été étudiés par MTS et par des tests clonogéniques. L'activité du STP et l'efficacité du F14512 ont également été mesurés dans des conditions hypoxiques (1 % O2).Dans les quatre lignées testées, un STP actif a été mis en évidence permettant un transfert rapide et spécifique au noyau des composés couplés à un groupement spermine. Fait intéressant, le F14512 présente un effet cytotoxique 1,6 à 11 fois plus élevé que l'étoposide composé de référence (dépourvu de la chaîne de spermine). Il apparaît également plus cytotoxique que le 5FU et le cisplatine dans toutes les lignées cellulaires. Des expériences de compétition avec la spermine ont confirmé le rôle essentiel du STP dans la vectorisation et la cytotoxicité du F14512. Les conditions d'hypoxie n'avait presque pas d'impact sur la cytotoxicité des molécules. La combinaison du F14512 avec le cisplatine, mais pas le 5FU, s'est révélée être synergique et pour la première fois nous avons démontré le potentiel radio-sensibilisant significatif du F14512.Le groupement spermine du F14512 confère une action ciblée et une meilleure efficacité que l'étoposide sur des lignées cancéreuses des VADS. L'effet synergique observé en association avec le cisplatine et la radiothérapie apparait intéressant pour le développement potentiel de F14512 en cancérologie des VADS. / Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The treatment of advanced stages HNSCC is based on surgical treatment combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy or concomitant chemo-radiotherapy. However, the 5-year survival remains poor for advanced stages HNSCC and the development of new targeted therapies is eagerly awaited. F14512 combines an epipodophyllotoxin core-targeting topoisomerase II with a spermine moiety introduced as a cell delivery vector. This spermine moiety facilitates selective uptake by tumor cells via the Polyamine Transport System (PTS) and reinforces topoisomerase II poisoning. Here we report the evaluation of F14512 toward HNSCC.Four cell lines representative of head and neck cancer localizations were used: Fadu (pharynx), SQ20B (larynx), CAL33 and CAL27 (base of the tongue). PTS activity and specificity were evaluated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry using the fluorescent probe F17073 which contains the same spermine moiety as F14512. Cytotoxicity, alone or in association with standard chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, 5FU), and radio-sensitizing effects were investigated using MTS and clonogenic assays, respectively. F14512 efficiency and PTS activity were also measured under hypoxic conditions (1% O2).In all 4 tested HNSCC lines, an active PTS was evidenced providing a specific and rapid transfer of spermine-coupled compounds into cell nuclei. Interestingly, F14512 presents a 1.6 to 11 fold higher cytotoxic effect than the reference compound etoposide (lacking the spermine chain). It appears also more cytotoxic than 5FU and cisplatin in all cell lines. Competition experiments with spermine confirmed the essential role of the PTS in the cell uptake and cytotoxicity of F14512. Hypoxia had almost no impact on the drug cytotoxicity. The combination of F14512 with cisplatin, but not 5FU, was found to be synergistic and, for the first time, we demonstrated the significant radio-sensitizing potential of F14512. The spermine moiety of F14512 confers a targeted effect and a much better efficacy than etoposide in HNSCC lines. The synergistic effect observed in association with cisplatin and radiotherapy augurs well for the potential development of F14512 in HNSCC.

Au moins un cancer sur six dans le monde est causé par des agents infectieux, parmi lesquels les papillomavirus humains (HPV) qui sont responsables d'environ 600000 cas de cancer chaque année. Les HPV sont reconnus comme la cause nécessaire des cancers du col utérin, et la cause d'une fraction des cancers de l'anus, de la vulve, du vagin, du pénis, mais aussi de l'oropharynx et de la cavité buccale. Les données épidémiologiques récentes montrent une augmentation préoccupante de l'incidence des cancers HPV-induits de l'oropharynx dans certains pays développés, notamment en Amérique du Nord et en Europe du Nord. Dans le cancer du col de l'utérus, la connaissance approfondie de l'histoire naturelle de l'infection à HPV et des lésions associées a permis la mise en place du dépistage par frottis cervico-utérin, qui a donné lieu à une diminution considérable de l'incidence des cancers du col utérin. En revanche dans les cancers des voies aérodigestives supérieures (VADS) induits par l'HPV, très peu de données sur l'histoire naturelle de la maladie sont disponibles. Au- jourd'hui, le mode de transmission de l'infection à HPV et les étapes de la cancérisation des tissus des VADS restent toujours très mal compris. Si la vaccination contre l'HPV devrait avoir un impact sur l'incidence des cancers HPV-induits autres que ceux du col utérin, la couverture vaccinale reste insuffisante dans de nombreux pays pour générer une immunité de groupe, et à ce jour, aucune autre méthode de prévention des cancers des VADS HPV- induits n'est disponible. Les objectifs principaux de ce travail sont : (i) mieux définir le potentiel cancérogène des dif- férents HPV [Articles I, II et III] ; (ii) améliorer les connaissances du rôle de l'HPV dans les cancers des VADS [Articles IV et V] ; et (iii) comprendre l'histoire naturelle de l'infection à HPV et des lésions associées dans l'oropharynx [Projets I et II] / At least one out of six cancers worldwide is caused by infectious agents, of which human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for around 600 000 cancer cases each year. HPV are recognized as a necessary cause of cervical cancer, and the cause of a fraction of cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, but also the oropharynx. Recent epidemiological data report an alarming increase in the incidence of HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancers in some devel- oped countries, as in North America and North Europe. In cervical cancer, extended knowledge of the natural history of HPV infection and associat- ed lesions has led to the implementation of cervical pap smear screening resulting in a sub- stantial decrease in cervical cancer incidence. Conversely, in HPV-induced head and neck cancers, very few data on the natural history of the disease are available. Today, the mode of transmission of HPV infection and the steps in cancerisation of head and neck tissues are still poorly understood. Although vaccination against HPV should impact the incidence of HPV- induced cancers other than in the cervix, vaccine coverage is insufficient in many countries to generate herd immunity, and to date no other method for prevention of HPV-induced head and neck cancers is available. The main objectives of this work are: (i) to better define the oncogenic potential of the differ- ent HPV types [Articles I, II and III]; (ii) to improve the knowledge of the role of HPV in can- cers of the head and neck [Articles IV and V]; and (iii) to understand the natural history of HPV infection and associated lesions in the oropharynx [Projects I and II]

Orientador: Patrícia Moriel / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T00:53:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pimentel_Rafaela_M.pdf: 1507217 bytes, checksum: 77fd52914da8f4ff3f17346fac27c7f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O Carcinoma espinocelular de cabeça e pescoço (CECP) é um dos cânceres mais comuns em todo o mundo, sendo classificado como a oitava causa de morte por câncer. As taxas de incidência do CECP estão aumentando em todo o mundo, no Brasil o câncer de cavidade oral ocupa o quinto lugar geral entre a população masculina. O tabagismo, o alcoolismo e a infecção pelo vírus Human papilomavirus (HPV) são importantes fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do CECP. O protocolo de tratamento para este tipo de câncer é a associação de radioterapia e quimioterapia com cisplatina. Indivíduos tratados com cisplatina são suscetíveis a nefrotoxicidade, vômito grave, neurotoxicidade, ototoxicidade, gastrotoxicidade, mielossupressão e reações alérgicas, bem como no tratamento radioterápico estão sujeitos à mucosite. Em tratamentos tão agressivos como este, o profissional farmacêutico pode contribuir significativamente para a adesão do paciente ao tratamento através da atenção farmacêutica e da farmácia clínica, atuando para a garantia da segurança e da qualidade do tratamento. O objetivo do estudo foi estudar os problemas farmacoterapêuticos (PFTs) e realizar intervenções farmacêuticas (IFs) junto aos indivíduos com câncer de cabeça e pescoço, em tratamento com cisplatina, no Ambulatório de Oncologia Clínica do HC/UNICAMP. O estudo foi prospectivo, longitudinal, intervencionista, amostra consecutiva, com duração de 18 meses. Foram incluídos no estudo os indivíduos maiores de 18 anos, que assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, com diagnóstico de CECP, que receberam como conduta terapêutica radioterapia e quimioterapia à base de cisplatina concomitantemente. O acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico foi realizado por meio de levantamento dos PFTs e das IFs, até o final do tratamento quimioterápico baseado no Método Pharmacotherapy Workup. Foram avaliadas a adesão aos medicamentos antieméticos utilizados para o tratamento antineoplásico através do questionário de adesão Morisky & Grenn e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com o questionário de avaliação de qualidade de vida da Universidade de Washington (UW-QoL). Foram incluídos 95 indivíduos, destes, 65 foram excluídos e 33 pacientes mantiveram-se até o final do estudo. A maioria dos indivíduos são homens brancos, com média de idade de 54,2 anos, casados, afastados do trabalho por causa do tumor, tabagistas moderados e etilistas acentuados. A maior parte dos pacientes apresentou câncer de faringe, estadiamento de T4N2M0, estádio IV. O uso de sonda e traqueostomia aumentou durante o tratamento. Foram encontrados 0,8 PFTs potenciais/indivíduo, 8,5 PFTs reais/indivíduo, 35,8 IFs de prevenção/paciente e 2,4 IFs de resolução/paciente. A maioria dos indivíduos teve alta adesão na avaliação de uso dos antieméticos. Na avaliação de qualidade de vida muitos domínios foram diminuindo ao longo do tratamento, tais como humor e paladar. O perfil encontrado condiz com a literatura, ressaltando que este estudo foi pioneiro na quantificação de PFTs e IFs relacionados a este grupo de pacientes. Este estudo sugere que a atenção farmacêutica na forma de acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico traz benefícios significativos para a saúde dos indivíduos com CECP / Abstract: The head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may be considered as the most common of the head and neck cancers around the world and is the eighth cause of death from cancer. Incidence rate of HNSCC is increasing in the world, being the overall fifth for male population in Brazil. Risk factors for HNSCC include Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and prolonged consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Treatment of head and neck cancers is a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with cisplatin. Patients receiving cisplatin are susceptible to nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, myelosuppression, nausea, severe vomiting and allergic reactions, as radiotherapy treatment can cause oral mucositis. In such aggressive treatments as these, the pharmacist can play a significant role in the patient¿s adherence to treatment through the pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacy, guaranteeing the safety and quality of the treatment. The purpose of the study was to quantify the pharmacotherapy problems (PP) and pharmaceutical intervention (PI) in patients with head and neck cancer receiving cisplatin treatment, in the clinical oncologist ambulatory of HC/UNICAMP. The study was prospective, longitudinal, interventional, consecutive sample, lasting 18 months. Patients included in the study were 18 or older, who signed the term of free and informed consent, diagnosed with HNSCC, receiving therapeutic approach with radiotherapy associated with cisplatin chemotherapy. Based on the methods of Pharmacotherapy Workup, the pharmacotherapeutic follow-up was performed through the PP and PI. The Morisky-Green Test was used to evaluate medication adherence of antiemetics, and for the quality of life assessment, the University of Washington quality of life evaluation questionnaire (UW-QOL), during the chemotherapy treatment on patient with HNSCC. Out of 95 patients that were followed up on, 65 were excluded and 33 were maintained throughout the study. Most were men, white, with median age of 54.2 years old, married, off work because of the tumor, moderate smokers and severe alcoholics. The majority of patients were affected by stage IV pharyngeal cancer T4N2M0. The use of catheter and tracheostomy increased during treatment. The group found 0.8 potential PP/individual, 8.5 real PP/individual, 35.8 PI of prevention/patient and 2.4 PI of resolution/patient. Most patients presented high adherence to antiemetics treatment. The evaluation of quality of life showed that during the treatment some of the characteristics decreased as humor and palate. Patients¿ profiles were consistent with the studies already conducted, but the present study was the first to quantify PP and PI related to this group of patients. This study suggests that the pharmaceutical care in the form of pharmacotherapeutical follow-up brings significant benefits to the health of individuals with HNSCC / Mestrado / Fármacos, Medicamentos e Insumos para Saúde / Mestra em Biociências e Tecnologia de Produtos Bioativos

Orientador: Carmen Silvia Passos Lima / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T18:37:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pincinato_EderdeCarvalho_D.pdf: 3229024 bytes, checksum: a92cc669d0c70abe36aab0ff261da986 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: A cisplatina (CDDP) associada à radioterapia (RT) é utilizada no tratamento de portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço (CCECP). A resposta ao tratamento bem como seus efeitos colaterais variam de indivíduo para indivíduo e tal fato pode ser explicado pela variabilidade genética no metabolismo da CDDP. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de verificar se habilidades herdadas na detoxificação da CDDP, mediadas pelas enzimas GSTM1, GSTT1 e GSTP1, alteram os efeitos terapêuticos, colaterais e a concentração de CDDP urinária em pacientes com CCECP. Foram avaliados, de forma prospectiva, 90 pacientes com CCECP tratados com CDDP associada à RT. Os genótipos dos polimorfismos GSTM1, GSTT1 e GSTP1 Ile105Val foram analisados por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) multiplex e PCR seguida de digestão enzimática, respectivamente, em DNA de sangue periférico. A resposta ao tratamento foi avaliada por exame clínico e tomografia computadorizada do pescoço. Os efeitos colaterais ao tratamento foram graduados por questionários e exames laboratoriais. As toxicidades renal e auditiva foram avaliadas por clearance de creatinina estimado (ClCrea), taxa de filtração glomerular com EDTA-51Cr (TFG) e audiometria tonal limiar. As concentrações urinárias da CDDP foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). Pacientes com a deleção homozigótica do gene GSTT1 estiveram sob risco 0,09 (IC 95%: 0,02-0,41) vezes menor de ocorrência de vômitos, 0,22 (IC 95%: 0,05-0,89) vezes menor de ototoxicidade e menor redução de ClCrea (81,69 ± 21,40 para 84,13 ± 25,69 versus 93,16 ± 28,94 para 77,52 ± 23,96 mL/min/1,73m²) e de TFG (79,56 ± 20,68 para 69,94 ± 21,40 versus 84,38 ± 19,96 para 62,87 ± 20,72 mL/min/1,73m²) do que os portadores do gene. Já os pacientes com o alelo Val do polimorfismo GSTP1 Ile105Val estiveram sob risco 6,32 vezes maior de ocorrência de vômitos acentuados (IC 95%: 2,05-19,51), 3,35 vezes maior de ototoxicidade acentuada (IC 95%: 1,03-10,96) e maior redução de TFG (80,87 ± 21,73 para 66,97 ± 24,96 versus 85,35 ± 18,76 para 62,19 ± 17,40 mL/min/1,73m²) do que os portadores do genótipo Ile/Ile. Maior concentração urinária de CDDP foi observada em pacientes com a deleção homozigótica do gene GSTT1, quando comparados aos pacientes com a presença do gene (429,58 ± 116,24 versus 253,42 ± 95,20 ug CDDP/mg creatinina). Concluímos que estes polimorfismos desempenham papéis importantes na ocorrência de eventos adversos da terapêutica e excreção urinária do CDDP. Acreditamos que estes resultados possam constituir a base preliminar para o tratamento personalizado futuro de pacientes com CCECP / Abstract: Cisplatin (CDDP) associated with radiotherapy (RT) is used in treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The response to treatment as well as its side effects vary among individuals, and this fact may be explaned by the genetic variability in metabolism of CDDP. The aim of this study was to access if inherited ability to cellular CDDP detoxification, mediated by GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 enzymes alters the therapeutic and side effects of CDDP and RT and urinary concentration of CDDP in HNSCC patients. We evaluated, prospectively, 90 consecutive HNSCC patients, who received CDDP associated RT as treatment. Genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphisms were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion, respectively, in peripheral blood DNA. Treatment response was assessed by clinical examination and computed tomography of neck. Treatment side effects were ranked through questionnaire and laboratory tests. Renal and hearing toxicities were assessed using, respectively, estimated creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration 51Cr-EDTA and pure tone threshold audiometry. Urinary doses of CDDP were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Patients with the GSTT1-null genotype had a 0.09 times (95% CI:0.02-0.41) decreased risk for vomiting, 0.22 times (95% CI:0.05-0.89) decreased risk for ototoxicity, less creatinine clearance decreases (81.69 ± 21.40 to 84.13 ± 25.69 versus 93.16 ± 28.94 to 77.52 ± 23.96 mL/min/1.73m²) and glomerular filtration 51Cr-EDTA (79.56 ± 20.68 to 69.94 ± 21.40 versus 84.38 ± 19.96 to 62.87 ± 20.72 mL/min/1.73m²) than GSTT1-present genotype. Patients with Val allele of GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism had 6.32 higher risk presenting high grade vomiting (95% CI: 2.05-19.51), 3.35 higher risk to high grade ototoxicity (95% CI: 1.03-10.96) and higher glomerular filtration 51Cr-EDTA reduction (80.87 ± 21.73 to 66.97 ± 24.96 versus 85.35 ± 18.76 to 62.19 ± 17.40 mL/min/1.73m²) when compared to wild genotype. Higher CDDP urinary level was observed in patients with the GSTT1-null genotype, compared to patients with the gene (429.58 ± 116.24 versus 253.42 ± 95.20 ug CDDP/mg creatinine). We concluded that these genetic polymorphisms have important roles in complete response rate, in occurrence of side effects, and in urinary CDDP excretion. We believe that this data may constitute preliminary basis of future personalized treatment of HNSCC patients / Doutorado / Clinica Medica / Doutor em Clínica Médica

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13258号 / 論医博第2176号 / 新制||医||1037(附属図書館) / (主査)教授 別所 和久, 教授 武藤 学, 教授 小西 靖彦 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Bei dieser Arbeit handelt es sich um eine retrospektive Studie bezüglich Inzidenz und Therapie von Mundhöhlen- und Oropharynxkarzinomen, welche in dem Zeitraum von 1993 bis 2009 in der HNO-Klinik der Universität Leipzig als „High Volume Center“ behandelt wurden, mit besonderem Augenmerk auf die Stadien III-IV nach UICC/AJCC. In unserer Studie konnten wir eine Zunahme der an der Universität in Leipzig registrierten Patienten mit Mundhöhlen- und Oropharynxkarzinomen über die Jahre 1993 bis 2009 verzeichnen. Männer waren mehr als fünfmal so häufig betroffen wie Frauen. Diese Verteilung hielt sich über den Beobachtungszeitraum konstant. Bei den weiblichen Patientinnen wurden im Durchschnitt niedrigere Tumorstadien bei Erstdiagnose festgestellt. Frauen hatten insgesamt eine höhere 5-Jahresüberlebensrate. Die Stadienverteilung nach UICC/AJCC bei Erstdiagnose eines Mundhöhlen- und Oropharynxkarzinoms blieb über die Jahre hinweg annähernd gleich. Es wurden meist hohe Stadien festgestellt (62,7% Stadium IV). Das mittlere Erkrankungsalter von Mundhöhlen- und Oropharynxkarzinomen sank über den Beobachtungszeitraum. Das Alter bei Rezidivmanifestation blieb allerdings über die Jahre gleich und lag unter dem durchschnittlichen Alter bei Erstdiagnosestellung. In diesem Zeitraum wird in der Literatur eine zunehmende Infektionsrate mit HPV beschrieben, welche gemäß der Literaturdaten mit einem jüngeren Erkrankungsalter einhergeht. Über die Jahre fanden wir in dem von uns untersuchten Patientenkollektiv der Universitätsklinik Leipzig eine stetige Verbesserung der mittleren Überlebensraten. In zeitlicher Assoziation zu dieser Entwicklung fand eine Änderung der Therapiemodalitäten insbesondere mit Einführung der systemischen Chemotherapie ab ca. 2004 in Richtung einer zunehmenden multimodalen Therapie statt. Es konnte ein Vorteil im Gesamtüberleben nach einer kombiniert-operativen Therapie mit adjuvanter Radiochemotherapie gegenüber allen anderen Therapieformen gezeigt werden. Insbesondere im Stadium IV nach UICC/AJCC zeigte sich ebenfalls ein Vorteil der kombinierten Radiochemotherapie gegenüber einer alleinigen Radiotherapie.

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) carry a clinically significant symptom burden, alterations in function (e.g. impaired ability to chew, swallow, and talk), and decrease in quality of life. Furthermore, treatment impacts social activities and interactions as patients report reduced sexuality and high rates of depression. Patients may suffer undue anxiety because they find treatment incomprehensible, which is partially a function of limited, understandable information. This can be particularly challenging for patients with limited health literacy. Furthermore, a globalized world consisting of cultural differences increases the need to enhance transparent communication of risk. Research on risk literacy and medical decision-making validates that across different cultures, people often have severe obstacles in grasping a host of prerequisite concepts for understanding health-related risk information such as numbers, graphs, and basic medical facts. Patients’ perceptions of having obtained adequate information prior and during treatment are predictive of positive outcomes. Providing patient-centered decision-support, utilizing visual images, may increase understanding of treatment options and associated risks to improve satisfaction with their decision and consultation, while reducing decisional conflict. A scoping review was conducted on electronic, decision aids (DAs) for oncology patients that returned 4217 articles, but only 167 for HNC, with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. Three themes were identified: (1) both patients and physicians valued the DA; (2) DAs should be visually supported by images; and (3) use of a DA lessened decisional conflict and anxiety while improving knowledge, satisfaction and shared decision-making. This informed the design of a prototype DA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 survivors of HNC who completed treatment at BC Cancer- Victoria on their experiences, feedback on the utility of a DA, and insights into design features. Thematic analysis resulted in 12 themes that were organized into 3 categories. The first category, “the patient experience,” included three themes: “patients have high, through varying information needs”; “an emotional experience”; and “stories of coping, strength and resiliency.” The second category, “electronic DAs and decision support,” also included three themes: “familiarity with decision aids”; “support of concept: usefulness and of visual aids”; and “versatility of the prototype.” The last category, “evaluation of prototype”, contained six themes: “reaction to prototype”; “favourited features”; “complexity”; “preference for customizability”; “suggestions for improvement”; and “presentation device.” Key Message: The use of DAs have been shown to better inform and increase patients’ knowledge, accuracy of risk perception, and congruency between informed values and care choices allowing them to take part in active decision-making, compared to usual care. Survivors of HNC were in unanimous support of using visual images to help explain treatment and assist in decision making on treatment options. Furthermore, they contributed invaluable feedback on the prototype design, demonstrating the value of a co-design methodologies. / Graduate

No description available.