Early Use of Opioid in Radiation Mucositis

The present study is a prospective, randomizing, case-controlled, multi-center clinical trial. 174 firstly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who need radical radiation therapy will be randomly divided into either early intervention or common intervention group. oxycodone control release tablets will be used to control the pain caused by radiation oral mucositis when the pain level is mild or moderate, respectively. The primary outcome measurement is nutrition status. Quality of life (QOL), the clinical outcomes, and the adverse effects are also to be observed.

Inclusion criteria

• Histological confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
• Without historic chronic pain, no depend on analgesic drugs, no historic opioids intake;
• Plan to receive radical radiation therapy, newly to radiation for head and neck;
• Aged older or equal to 18 years old;
• Could understand and cooperate to accomplish pain evaluation and observation scales;
• Sufficient liver and kidney function: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) less than 2.5* upper limit of normal (ULN), serum creatinine less than 1.5*ULN;
• Without other serious critical organ dysfunction, such as heart or lung dysfunction;
• Performance status (PS) score less than 2;
• Voluntary to participate and sign informed consent document;
• Obey the rules of trail; could be followed-up on time.

Exclusion criteria

• Excluded by inclusion criteria;
• Known or suspected allergy to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or opioid medicine;
• Unable to complete the follow-up;
• Severe uncontrollable infections of medical disorders;
• Major organ including heart, lung, kidney, or liver dysfunction;
• With pathophysiological factors affecting drug absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion.