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S. Aranda



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    P2.25 - Poster Session 2 - Nurses (ID 249)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Nurses
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.25-002 - How do patients with lung cancer experience radiation induced oesophagitis? (ID 2510)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): S. Aranda

      • Abstract

      Background
      Background Radiation induced oesophagitis (RIO) is a significant toxicity of lung cancer treatment that has profound clinical, social and economic implications. The literature suggests there is minimal evidence to support current analgesic regimes with the exception of systemic analgesia. More information is required to better understand the patient experience of RIO and how it can be managed. Aim To identify the properties and characteristics of RIO experienced by patients having radiotherapy to the chest for lung cancer.

      Methods
      Methods A qualitative exploratory study conducted with patients with lung cancer receiving radiotherapy to the chest. Patients participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their experience of RIO. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content analysed.

      Results
      Results Twenty six patients participated: six with grade 1; 14 with grade 2 and eight with grade 3 RIO. Patients were interviewed following recovery from grade 3 RIO. Four key domains were identified: 1.Pain descriptors such as “feels raw “, “burning”, “like reflux but worse” were reported 2. Swallowing difficulties varied over time and were described as “felt like there was a blockage, “afraid I would choke,” “unable to get anything through”. 3. Self care efforts employed by the patients to manage these difficulties ranged from diet modification, allowing food and drinks to go cold before eating and eating slowly. 4. An aversion to taking regular analgesia was also evident. The overall impact on participants’ lives was often understated, even in the context of hospital admissions, insertion of nasogastric tubes and poorly controlled pain.

      Conclusion
      Conclusions This study demonstrates the complexity of RIO and suggests clinicians may underestimate the effect and severity of RIO. Given patients appear to continue to experience problems, despite treatment, better prophylaxis and management regimes are required.