Long‐term health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: A large multinational study

• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34861
• Publication Date: 2024-02-07T08:27:59Z
• Authors: Katherine J. Taylor; Cecilie D. Amdal; Kristin Bjordal; Guro L. Astrup; Bente B. Herlofson; Fréderic Duprez; Ricardo R. Gama; Alexandre Jacinto; Eva Hammerlid; Melissa Scricciolo; Femke Jansen; Irma M. Verdonck‐...; Giuseppe Fanetti; Orlando Guntinas‐...; Johanna Inhestern; Tatiana Dragan; Alexander Fabian; Andreas Boehm; Ulrike Wöhner; Naomi Kiyota; Maximilian Krüger; Pierluigi Bonomo; Monica Pinto; Sandra Nuyts; Joaquim Castro Silva; Carmen Stromberger; Pol Specenier; Francesco Tramacere; Ayman Bushnak; Pietro Perotti; Michaela Plath; Alberto Paderno; Noa Stempler; Maria Kouri; Vincent Grégoire; Susanne Singer
• Keywords: Neck dissection; Cross-sectional study

Abstract Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients suffer from a range of health‐related quality life (HRQoL) issues, but little is known about their long‐term HRQoL. This study explored associations between treatment group HRQoL at least 5 years' post‐diagnosis in HNC survivors. In an international cross‐sectional study, survivors completed the European Organization for Research Treatment Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (EORTC‐QLQ‐C30) its module (EORTC‐QLQ‐H&N35). Meaningful differences were examined five groups: (a) surgery, (b) radiotherapy, (c) chemo‐radiotherapy, (d) radiotherapy ± chemotherapy dissection (e) any other surgery (meaning tumour that not dissection) chemotherapy. Twenty‐six sites 11 countries enrolled 1105 They had median time since diagnosis 8 years, mean age 66 years 71% male. After adjusting age, sex, site UICC stage, there was evidence meaningful (10 points or more) groups seven domains ( Fatigue , Mouth Pain Swallowing Senses Opening Dry Sticky Saliva ). Survivors who single‐modality better equal every domain compared to with multimodal treatment, largest . For Global Quality Life Physical Social Functioning Constipation Dyspnoea Financial Difficulties some outcomes general population. Our data suggest associated worse single modality.