Impact of treatment modality on quality of life of head and neck cancer patients: Findings from an academic medical institution

Purpose: The objective of this pilot study was to determine how different treatment modalities (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) impact quality of life (QOL) in a population of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Methods: Fifty-nine newly diagnosed, biopsy-confirmed HNC patient's were recruited between 2007-2012. They completed the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire and Head & Neck Module at 5 intervals pre-and post-treatment. Participants were grouped into four categories based on modality: surgery only, surgery/radiation, chemoradiation, or surgery/chemoradiation. Repeated measures ANOVA examined effect of treatment modality on QOL over time. Results: Xerostomia symptoms were significantly associated with chemoradiation (F(2.47, 5927) = 3.57, p = 0.03), lowest at pretreatment and highest 6 months post-treatment. Time was significantly associated with head and neck pain, F(2.95,67.89) = 3.39, p = 0.02. Conclusions: HNC survivors exhibit different QOL related symptoms depending on combined treatment modalities, and time post-treatment. It is important to understand QOL differences based upon treatment modalities when developing treatment plans for HNC patients. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.