Table 2: Symptoms after radiotherapy in patients with HNC (n = 41) according to the time of involvement (number of sessions). Statistical analysis: Chi- square. Values expressed as percentage (n) (*) p <0.05 and (**) p <0.01.

ADVERSE SYMPTOMS

% (n)

Session average

(days) (± SD)

Beginning of the

treatment (p value)

Finished Treatment

(p value)

Weight Loss

82,9(35)

7,46(7,35)

-

**

Xerostomia

75,6(31)

6,06(8,92)

-

-

Hoarseness

65.9(27)

6,52(6,67)

-

-

Difficulty in solid/pasty swallowing

56,1(23)

6,67(7,30)

-

-

Use of catheter

53,7(21)

10,43(11,25)

-

-

Difficulty in liquid swallowing

53.7(22)

10,41(10,20)

*

-

Sore throat

51,2(22)

9,33(8,67)

-

-

Trismus

48,8(20)

11,10(9,8)

*

-

Hair Loss

46,3(19)

6,47(6,85)

-

-

Mouth pain

43,9 (18)

7,17 (7,02)

-

-

Mouth irritation

41,5(17)

7,76(9,37)

-

-

Chocking

43.9(18)

5,06(5,52)

-

-

Smell decrease

36.6(15)

7,73(10,50)

-

-

Jaw pain

34,1 (14)

6,36(8,65)

-

*

Teeth problem

22,0(08)

3,88(6,55)

-

**

Difficulty in Hearing

22,0(10)

8,4(12,16)

*

-

Difficulty in talking on the phone

19,5(08)

4,13(4,58)

-

**

Difficulty in family life

7,3(08)

8,0(10,44)

*

**

Choking was observed, and all subjects with this discomfort reported difficulty in swallowing liquid (p = 0.000) and solid/pasty (p = 0.001) (Chi-square statistical analysis).