Quality of life and performance in advanced head and neck cancer patients on concomitant chemoradiotherapy: A prospective examination

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate performance and quality of life (QOL) in advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC) patients on ct curative-intent, concomitant-chemoradiotherapy (CT/XRT) (twice-dairy radiation, fluorouracil , hydroxyurea, and cisplatin) regimen aimed at improving locoregional contr ol, survival, and QOL. Patients and Methods: Sixty-four patients were assessed before, during, and at 3-month intervals after treatment Standardized measures of QOL (Functio nal Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck), performance (Performance S tatus Scale far Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Karnofsky Performance Sta tus Rating Scale), and patient-reported symptoms (McMaster University Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire) were administered. Results: Acute treatment toxicities were severe, with declines in virtually all QOL and functional domains. Marked improvement was seen by 12 months; general functional and physical measures returned to baseline levers of goa d to excellent Although up to a third of the patients continued to report p roblems with swallowing, hoarseness, and mouth pain, these difficulties wer e present in similar magnitudes before treatment. The following symptoms we re more frequent at 12 months: dry mouth (58% v 17%), difficulties tasting (32% v 8%), and soft food diet (82% v 42%). Twelve-month diet was not relat ed to pretreatment functioning, disease, treatment, or patient characterist ics. Twelve-month QOL was best predicted by pretreatment QOL, with very lit tle relationship to residual side effects or functional impairments. Small numbers of patients in four of the five disease sites precluded examination of outcome by site. Conclusion: These data support the feasibility of intense CT/XRT as primary treatment for advanced HNC. Results confirm acute toxicity but indicate th at many of the treatment-related performance and QOL declines resolve by 12 months. The persistent inability to eat a full range of foods warrants fur ther attention and monitoring . (C) 1999 by American Society of Clinical On cology.