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Low Post-treatment Quality of Life and the High Incidence of Pain are Common and Significantly Exacerbated in Depressed Head and Neck Patients Treated with Definitive Accelerated Radiotherapy
Heyda, A.; Księżniak-Baran, D.; Wygoda, A.; Składowski, K. Low Post-Treatment Quality of Life and the High Incidence of Pain Are Common and Significantly Exacerbated in Depressed Head and Neck Patients Treated with Definitive Accelerated Radiotherapy. Cancers2024, 16, 79.
Heyda, A.; Księżniak-Baran, D.; Wygoda, A.; Składowski, K. Low Post-Treatment Quality of Life and the High Incidence of Pain Are Common and Significantly Exacerbated in Depressed Head and Neck Patients Treated with Definitive Accelerated Radiotherapy. Cancers 2024, 16, 79.
Heyda, A.; Księżniak-Baran, D.; Wygoda, A.; Składowski, K. Low Post-Treatment Quality of Life and the High Incidence of Pain Are Common and Significantly Exacerbated in Depressed Head and Neck Patients Treated with Definitive Accelerated Radiotherapy. Cancers2024, 16, 79.
Heyda, A.; Księżniak-Baran, D.; Wygoda, A.; Składowski, K. Low Post-Treatment Quality of Life and the High Incidence of Pain Are Common and Significantly Exacerbated in Depressed Head and Neck Patients Treated with Definitive Accelerated Radiotherapy. Cancers 2024, 16, 79.
Abstract
(1) Background: The goal of the study was to evaluate psychological tolerance and health-related quality of life (QOL) in head and neck (HN) cancer patients treated with definitive accelerated radiotherapy (DART); (2) Methods: Seventy-six recurrence-free patients eligible for the study, who were treated with DART in the CAIR-2 phase III clinical study (median of follow-up=47 months), completed EORTC QLQ-C30 with H&N35 module, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Visual–Analog Scales (VAS) of pain in HN and the neck / arm area.; (3) Results: The most dominating symptoms measured with QLQ-C30 were: fatigue (44/100), sleeplessness (39/100), financial problems (38/100) and pain (32/100). Within H&N35 the highest scores were reported on the subscales of sticky saliva (60/100), mouth dryness (65/100) and increased intake of painkillers (50/100). Pain (VAS) was reported by 87% (HN area) and 78% (shoulder) of the patients, with a mean score of 3/10. One-third reported depressive mood (HADS≥15 points) with an average score of 12.5/42 p. The depressed group, who smoked more as compared to non-depressed before DART (96% vs 78%) and required steroids treatment (85% vs 58%) during DART, also scored significantly worse on 23 of 35 subscales of QLQ-C30 and H&N35 and experienced more intense pain (VAS). Women, and less advanced patients scored better in several aspects of the quality of life; (4) Conclusions: Patients treated with DART struggle with low quality of life and persisting treatment-related symptoms including constant pain. HNC survivors, especially those, who are depressed, may require additional psychosocial, rehabilitation and medical intervention programs..
Keywords
definitive accelerated radiotherapy; depression; chronic pain; head and neck cancer; quality of life
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Oncology and Oncogenics
Copyright:
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