title: Health-related quality of life up to 1 year after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detailed symptom specific descriptions of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), using validated questionnaires in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are sparse. The aim of the present study was to investigate HRQOL in patients with HNC up to 1 year after radiotherapy (RT), using two standardised questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data for the present study was originally collected in a randomised, prospective study. Forty-seven patients from two RT clinics in Sweden were included to investigate the secondary aim: HRQOL. Data was recorded at baseline, completion of RT, and 3, 6, 12 months after completed RT, using the questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30-version 3 and the disease-specific module EORTC QLQ-H&N35.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most symptoms and functions deteriorated significantly by the end of RT, improved gradually by 3 and 6 months and reached baseline levels at 12 months after completed RT. However, 1 year after completed RT there were remaining significant problems in senses, dry mouth and sticky saliva.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation therapy affects health-related quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer, both in the short and long term. Caregivers need management strategies for early detection and treatment of specific problems throughout the treatment period to help in the prevention of long-term symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Region Ostergotland, Linköping University Hospital, 58185 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loorents
authors.affiliation: Regional Cancer Center South East Sweden and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosell
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Region Ostergotland, Linköping University Hospital, 58185 Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salgado Willner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Region Ostergotland, Linköping University Hospital, 58185 Linköping, Sweden ; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sussanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Börjeson
keywords: EORTC QLQ C30; Head and neck cancer; Health-related quality of life; QLQ-H&N35; Trismus