Supportive care in early rehabilitation for advanced-stage radiated head and neck cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and supportive follow-up care needs 1 month posttreatment for patients with advanced-stage (stage III or IV) radiated head and neck cancer (HNC) who were treated with curative intent.


METHODS
An exploratory, descriptive analysis of HRQoL data obtained from 3 treatment groups: conventional radiotherapy (RT, n = 21), surgery + radiotherapy (SRT, n = 10), and chemoradiation (CRT, n = 21).


METHODS
The head and neck oncology center of a university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ H&N35 self-report questionnaires 1 month posttreatment. Descriptive statistics and clinically relevant differences between the groups were analyzed.


RESULTS
The HRQoL outcomes between groups differed. Clinically relevant difference was observed in the RT and CRT groups with respect to dry mouth, coughing, feeling ill, use of painkillers, and the use of nutritional supplements. The RT group differed from the other groups with respect to pain and swallowing. The CRT group differed from the other groups regarding role functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Health-related quality of life differs between RT, SRT, and CRT patients 1 month posttreatment. The RT- and CRT-treated patients reported higher impairment than the patients who were treated with SRT. Nutritional intake and oral function emphasize the importance of providing supportive care to radiated advanced-stage HNC patients throughout the treatment trajectory and the need for continuation during the first few posttreatment months.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. j.deleeuw@kno.umcn.nl
Jacqueline
J
de Leeuw
Manon G A
MG
van den Berg
Theo
T
van Achterberg
Matthias A W
MA
Merkx
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life