title: [Quality of life after treatment of head and neck tumors : longitudinal comparison after operation and adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of life is extraordinary affected by malignant tumors of the head and neck region as functions of social interaction are disturbed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The influence of surgical treatment and postoperative radio(chemo)therapy (RCT) on the quality of life was studied in patients with head and neck cancer. Twenty patients treated with curative intention completed the questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 at three time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most questions, patients reported poorer quality of life after RCT compared to postoperatively. Most of these differences were not significant. However, global quality of life and overall health was significantly worse after RCT as compared to postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both operation and postoperative RCT, lead to decreased quality of life in patients with a head and neck cancer. In comparison, RCT seems to have a more pronounced effect on the quality of life than operative therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde/Chirurgie, Universität Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Deutschland.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Bücheler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ehnes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kavsadze
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Langenberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilhelm-Buchstab
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zipfel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keiner
authors.forename: A O H
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Gerstner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome