title: [Quality of life in patients treated for cancer of paranasal sinus and other area at head and neck].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The oncology efficiency and quality of life are both important for patients with head and neck cancer in every-day life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of the dysphagia discomfort was made of 240 patients (190 male and 50 female). The primary location of the tumor was: paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. The treatment was surgical or sugical and radiotherapy. Patient's quality of life was evaluated according to the self-administered questionnaire (M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory MDADI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparison of the influence of dysphagia on the quality of life was made in two groups of patients. The first group consist of maxillectomy patients wearing obturator protheses, the second one were treated for cancer located in other mentioned area. Patients with primary tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx had significantly greater swallowing disability with an adverse impact on their quality of life compared with patients after maxillectomy. Method of treatment and stage of head and neck cancer greatly affected dysphagia-related quality of life. The longer the interval between completion of treatment and assessment by the MDADI, the higher the total score, thus reflecting a higher quality of life and funcional status as related to swallowing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MDADI is the validated and reliable self-administered questionnaire designed specifically for evaluating the impact of dysphagia on the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer.
authors: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. skocon@su.krakow.pl
authors: Paweł
authors: P
authors: Strek
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Oleś
authors: Jacek
authors: J
authors: Składzień
authors: Jerzy
authors: J
authors: Tomik
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Gajec
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Kocoń
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Dutsch-Wicherek
authors: Patryk
authors: P
authors: Hartwich
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Szaleniec