PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE OUTCOME IN PATIENTS COMPLETING CONCOMITANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY PROTOCOLS FOR HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

This study evaluated post-treatment performance and quality of life (Q OL) outcome in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with organ preservation, intensive chemoradiotherapy (FHX). Participants were 47 Stage II-IV HNC patients with no evidence of disease at least one year post-completion of organ preservation, concomitant FHX treatment, Pat ients were assessed via a semi-structured in-person interview, standar dized measures of QOL (FACT-H&N, CES-D), performance (PSS-HN) and pati ents' perception of residual side effects. Disease, treatment and toxi city data were retrieved from medical charts and protocol records, The most salient performance impairment was inability to eat a normal sol id food diet, with 50% of patients able to eat soft foods or take liqu ids only. This specific functional deficit was not related to grobal Q OL, nor to specific quality of life dimensions. Dry mouth, the most fr equent and severe residual effect, was not associated with outcome die t, depression or QOL. Residual pain, seen in only 15% of patients, app eared to influence both functional and QOL parameters as well as being a marker for other troublesome symptoms, Twenty-three per cent of pat ients were depressed; depression was associated with past problems rel ated to alcohol abuse, Decreased QOL and increased depressive symptoma tology were related to total number and severity of residual effects, The data highlight the importance of systematic study of QOL dimension s acid caution against making assumptions about patients' experience o f particular disease and treatment sequelae.