Quality of life in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. Comparison of two protocols using the EORTC questionnaires (QLQ-C30, H and N35).
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study is to assess the quality of life (QoL) of two groups of patients during treatment for locally advanced head and neck (H and N) cancer.


METHODS
Two samples of 30 patients each in AJCC stages III and IV undergoing either of two chemo-radiotherapy protocols completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 general questionnaire and the QLQ-H and N35 H and N module on three occasions during the treatment and follow-up periods. We also collected clinical data. The QoL scores and their evolution over the three measurements were calculated and both protocols were compared during the treatment period.


RESULTS
The QoL scores are acceptable in general. Limitations were observed in relation to toxicity, psycho-social and some functional areas during the treatment. QoL improved in the follow-up period. The clinical and QoL data are better in one of the two treatment protocols.


CONCLUSIONS
The QoL scores indicate that the condition of the patients receiving the protocols was acceptable, considering the severity of their disease. The treatments were reasonably-well tolerated.
Arraras Urdaniz
Juan Ignacio
JI
Servicio de Oncología, Hospital de Navarra, C/Monasterio de Urdax 1-5 D, 51007 Pamplona, Spain. jiarraras@correo.cop.es
Arias de la Vega
Fernando
F
Manterola Burgaleta
Ana
A
Vera García
Ruth
R
Martínez Aguillo
Maite
M
Salgado Pascual
Esteban
E
Martínez López
Enrique
E
D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires