title: Quality of Life of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Receiving High-Dose Cisplatin Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before and during treatment with high-dose cisplatin and radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational and longitudinal prospective study conducted from June 2011 to March 2013 at the clinical oncology ambulatory unit of a public teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to measure the QOL of patients before and after each chemotherapy cycle with high-dose cisplatin (80-100 mg/m(2), three cycles) and radiotherapy (2 Gy, 5 days/week for 7 weeks). Data were analyzed using Student t tests, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two patients completed the three cycles of treatment. The study population consisted primarily of white men with a mean age older than 50 years, who had a partner, a low education level, and who were heavy smokers and drinkers, Karnofsky Performance Status of 90% to 100%, pharynx tumors, and stage IV cancer, classified as T4 and N2 stages; the minority of them required interventions such as a feeding tube and tracheostomy. We observed a reduction in QOL after treatment initiation; this reduction was significant after the second chemotherapy cycle and the sixth week of radiotherapy. The abilities to taste, swallow, salivate, and participate in activities and recreation were affected significantly. We also observed a significant improvement in pain and anxiety resulting from the chemoradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers need to be aware of the affected domains to provide improved QOL, well-being, and security to cancer patients who are receiving this type of treatment.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília Berlofa
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Visacri
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Graziele Baldan
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pâmela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pimentel
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cinthia Madeira
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Anna Paula Lourenço
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eder
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Carvalho Pincinato
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carmen Silvia Passos
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila Gava
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Mazzola
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Clinical Pathology of School of Medical Sciences, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Institute of Biology, and the Department of Clinical Medicine of School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moriel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012677:Sensation; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin