STUDY ON LIFE QUALITY IN SURGICALLY TREATED HEAD & NECK CANCERS PATIENTS: A FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract

Aim. The aim this research was to evaluate the changes in quality of life (QoL) scores in relation to demographic and individual parameters, in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers (HNC), at 3 and 6 months post-operative, when compared to baseline pre-operative scores. Materials and Methods. A prospective, quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 62 patients diagnosed with malignant tumors of the head and neck in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the “Sf. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital in Iași, Romania (n=30), and in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Suceava County Hospital, Romania (n=32). The patients were hospitalised and treated by surgical removal of tumora and standard radiotherapy. Data (pre-operative, 3 and 6 months post-operative) was collected with two quality of life questionnaires: the BIQoL (Body Image Quality of Life) questionnaire (that measures the quality of life based on self-image), and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire (that measures the parameters directly associated with the quality of life). Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 29.0 software. Results. BIQoL improves significantly from 0,6935 ± 1,22903 to 1,2624 ± 0,83559 at 6 months follow-up, corresponding to a positive moderate effect. Mild intensity disorders were recorded in some EORTC QLQ-H&N35 items at baseline. Mean values improved significantly at 6 months follow-up (pain – from 2.0363 to 1.1548; swallowing- from 1.4274 to 1.1339; mouth opening score- from 1.9032 to1.1964; dry mouth from 1.9677 to 1.1250; senses impairment- from 1.3871 to 1.0446; coughing from 1.5806 to 1.0357; speech impairment from 1.5574 to1.1012; social contacts from 1.8754 to 1.3536; sexual activity- from 2.5565 to 2.4043). Conclusions. The quality of life score based on one’s own body image recorded a statistically significant increase at 3 months, continuing towards moderately positive at 6 months post-treatment. Statistically significant improvements were recorded for most of the scores evaluated by the EORTC QLQ-HN34 questionnaire (pain, swallowing difficulties, difficulties in opening the mouth, dry mouth syndrome, sensory impairment, cough, voice). Social contacts with worst scores at baseline, significantly improved at 6 months post-treatment for most patients treated for head and neck cancer. Post-treatment quality of life monitoring allows for pain management, addressing psychosocial issues, and reducing the potential loss of functionality after surgical and chemo/radiotherapy interventions in patients with head and neck cancer.

Keywords

• head and neck cancer
• quality of life
• biqol
• eortc qlq-h&n35.