The role of infection in the morbidity and mortality of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing multimodality therapy

摘要: Cancer of the head and neck is a common cancer worldwide. The majority patients present with locally advanced disease. Recently great deal improvement has been made in multimodality therapy this disease, warranting more careful consideration factors affecting quality life, disease course, treatment. Infection clearly factor. Analysis 662 hospital admissions 169 was performed. A definite infection documented 86 febrile episodes, pneumonia contributed to 40%, bacteremia 13%, skin soft tissue 12%, tracheobronchitis 10%. Among evaluated risk factors, foreign bodies, specifically intravenous (IV) cannulae gastrostomy tubes, race, performance status, alcohol intake, nutritional status were statistically significant variables that predicted for or associated infection. 44% deaths.