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01-10-2012 | Research Article

Epidemiology and prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis in Spanish patients with head and neck tumors undergoing radiotherapy treatment alone or in combination with chemotherapy

Authors: Ana Mañas, Laura Cerezo, Alejandro de la Torre, Mariola García, Héctor Alburquerque, Blanca Ludeña, Ana Ruiz, Ana Pérez, Ana Escribano, Aurea Manso, Luis Alberto Glaria, Grupo de Investigación Clínica en Oncología Radioterápica (GICOR)

Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Issue 10/2012

Abstract

Objective

To describe the oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) prevalence in Spanish patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, alone or combined with chemotherapy. Secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of Candida species colonization, and to explore whether different Candida species colonizing the oral cavity and the treatment were associated with a higher prevalence of OPC.

Methods

This is an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study, conducted in Spanish radiation oncology units. Patients were diagnosed with head and neck cancer and started a radiotherapy treatment alone or combined with chemotherapy at the moment of their inclusion (N = 92).

Results

The OPC prevalence was 26 %. The identification of colonizing pathogens was performed in 49 patients, and Candida albicans was the dominant yeast (69 %), while non-albicans Candida was only found in 15 patients (31 %). Patients with C. albicans colonization had a significant higher prevalence of OPC compared to patients colonized by non-albicans Candida (p = 0.0273), but no difference was found regarding the OPC prevalence in patients receiving only radiotherapy compared to patients with both radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

Conclusions

Our data represent a step further in the knowledge of Candida species present in Spanish patients with head and neck tumors under radiation therapy. This is an essential step to manage the prophylaxis and treatment of OPC, since it might lead to severe clinical complications causing treatment interruption and, thus, representing a reduction in anti-tumor efficacy.

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Title: Epidemiology and prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis in Spanish patients with head and neck tumors undergoing radiotherapy treatment alone or in combination with chemotherapy
Authors: Ana Mañas
Laura Cerezo
Alejandro de la Torre
Mariola García
Héctor Alburquerque
Blanca Ludeña
Ana Ruiz
Ana Pérez
Ana Escribano
Aurea Manso
Luis Alberto Glaria
Grupo de Investigación Clínica en Oncología Radioterápica (GICOR)
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology / Issue 10/2012
Print ISSN: 1699-048X
Electronic ISSN: 1699-3055
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-012-0861-8

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Abstract

Objective

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