Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients Who Received Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

ue to advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities in locally advanced head and neck cancer, the survivorship of HNC patients has increased significantly during the last decade. However, these remarkable but aggressive treatment methods also bring along numerous side effects that significantly affect the quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Chemo-irradiation combined modality is the standard of care for locally-advanced HNSCC suitable for organ-conserving management; concurrent treatment using a platinum-based agent is the dominant reported treatment approach. Chemotherapy toxicity, such as nausea/vomiting, myelosupression, neurotoxicity (e.g. parasthesias and tinnitus) and nephrotoxicity could significantly contribute to patients’ HRQoL experience.