Impact of conventional radiotherapy on health-related quality of life and critical functions of the head and neck

Journal Article · Sat Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.01.054· OSTI ID:20849978

Connor, Nadine P ^[1]; Cohen, Stacy B. M.A. ^[2]; Kammer, Rachael E ^[2]; Sullivan, Paula A ^[3]; Brewer, Kathryn A ^[2]; Hong, Theodore S ^[4]; Chappell, Richard J ^[5]; Harari, Paul M ^[4]

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1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI (United States) and Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States) and William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI (United States)
2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI (United States)
3. William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI (United States)
4. Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI (United States)
5. Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI (United States)

Purpose: Head-and-neck radiotherapy is associated with significant morbidities. Our purpose was to document impact of morbidities by use of multiple objective measures and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Methods and Materials: Ten head-and-neck cancer patients were evaluated before receiving conventional head-and-neck radiotherapy and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. We evaluated weight, saliva production, diet, swallow function, auditory function, and HR-QOL. Results: After radiotherapy, weight was reduced in 89% of subjects. Salivary function was significantly reduced and did not resolve by 6 months. Diet impairment and abnormalities in swallowing function persisted at 6 months. Perception of physical functioning was reduced after treatment, and swallowing, coughing, and dry-mouth symptoms increased. Very few changes were observed in auditory function. Conclusions: Conventional head-and-neck radiotherapy is associated with substantial functional deficits and diminished HR-QOL. Deficits reported here can serve as a baseline for comparison with results derived from new radiotherapy-treatment techniques.

• OSTI ID: 20849978
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 65; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CARCINOMAS
DIET
DISEASE INCIDENCE
HEAD
NECK
ORAL CAVITY
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SALIVA
SYMPTOMS