title: [Analysis of quality of life outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after treatment].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This retrospective study analysed patient characteristics and quality of live (QoL) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to assess the QoL of 20 NPC patients with cancer-free survival of more than one year, which were treated with radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (RCT) during the period 2001-2009 at the University Hospital Bonn, Germany. The QoL was assessed by the FACT-NP (functional assessment of cancer therapy-nasopharyngeal) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of the patients was 57 ± 13 years and the male/female ratio was 2.33/1.3 (15%) patients were treated with RT and 17 (85%) with RCT. The global QoL was good in our patients. Xerostomia, chewing, decrease of gustatory sense, discontent with sexual life and ear problems were of major concern with the majority of patients and affected the QoL negatively. Pain, lost of working ability, emotional distress, or family problems were no significant factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expected reduction of QoL after treatment must be explained in detail to the NPC patient. The integration of the family and partner, an antidepressant therapy or psycho-oncological support can be useful and necessary.
authors.affiliation: ENT - HNO, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. markjakob@me.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakob
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schröck
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bootz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eichhorn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000523:psychology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult