ABSTRACT
Objective:
To evaluate the association between sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment factors in the outcome of severe radiodermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer seen at the nursing consultation; and to analyze the impact of severe radiodermatitis cases on therapeutic follow-up.
Method:
A quantitative, documentary research conducted with medical records of 167 patients with head and neck cancer submitted to radiotherapy with curative indication followed in the nursing consultation in 2016. A structured form was used for data collection and analytical and descriptive statistics were used for its analysis.
Results:
Of the 99.4% patients who had radiodermatitis, 11.4% were severe cases. Severe radiodermatitis was associated with the type of equipment, treatment technique and presence of comorbidities. Of the patients who presented grade three, 53% had temporary discontinuation of treatment.
Conclusion:
Head and neck cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy with curative indication are at risk for severe radiodermatitis. Nursing consultation is important to minimize the severity of this event and the reduction of temporary treatment interruption due to this adverse reaction.
DESCRIPTORS:
Radiodermatitis; Risk factors; Nursing care; Oncology nursing; Head and neck neoplasms