ASSESSMENT OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AMONG OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING DIFFERENT CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC REGIMENS IN KARACHI, SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background and objective: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and poses a substantial socioeconomic burden on human life. Various chemotherapeutic regimens are employed in its management; nevertheless, differences in toxicity profiles may have important implications for patient management. There is a paucity of local evidence for comparative assessment of prescribing patterns and associated toxicities. Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with five chemotherapeutic regimens prescribed for the management of oropharyngeal cancer: Regimen 1 (Cisplatin + 5-Fluorouracil), Regimen 2 (Cisplatin + Methotrexate), Regimen 3 (Carboplatin + 5 Fluorouracil), Regimen 4 (Cisplatin + Paclitaxel) and Regimen 5 (Cetuximab). The study was undertaken at the Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN) and Memon Medical Institute (MMI), Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan over a period of six months. The medical records of 320 oropharyngeal cancer patients were reviewed for demographic information, habitual risk factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment-related toxicities. Results: The findings revealed that the highest incidence of nausea/vomiting was associated with Regimen 2, whereas patients receiving Regimen 4 exhibited the highest incidence of alopecia and mucositis. Patients treated with Regimen 3 experienced the highest incidence of myelosuppression, while Regimen 4 demonstrated an increased phenomenon of constitutional symptoms. The study population treated with Regimen 5 exhibited dermatological toxicities. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed significant variations in ADR profiles among the commonly used chemotherapeutic regimens and may contribute to the selection of appropriate treatment strategies and enhance patient management in oropharyngeal cancer.