Quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the head-and-neck cancer patients, undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment

Abstract

AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate and compare distress and quality-of-life parameters among head-and-neck cancer patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The patients' sample consists of 55 individuals under IMRT treatment. Three questionnaires (Quality of Life Questionnaire [QLQ]-C30 and QLQ-H and N35) of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales were used. RESULTS: Functioning and symptoms scales measured a week before the scheduled treatment worsen significantly until the end of the treatment and at the 3-month follow-up, tend to revert to their pretreatment values. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that all parameters (functioning scales, symptoms scales, and G-HAD subscales) worsen from the start to the end treatment and tend to revert to their pretreatment values after a 3-month period.