A RECENT study has shown that modern radiotherapy (RT) techniques, including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and helical tomotherapy (HT), significantly improve quality of life (QOL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Conducted between 2022 and 2023, the single-center study followed 45 patients, with 30 completing QOL assessments at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after RT.
Patients were predominantly male (76.7%), with most suffering from advanced-stage oral cancer. The majority (80%) received chemoradiation, with a curative dose of 66 to 70 Gy administered to nearly 77% of participants. The study found that chemotherapy was associated with lower global QOL scores, but significant improvements in overall QOL, physical function, and specific symptoms such as sticky saliva, cough, and weight loss were observed between 2 weeks and 3 months post-treatment. However, these improvements plateaued between 3 and 6 months.
Notably, social function, pain relief, and nutrition continued to improve at 6 months, particularly in patients who received HT. HT, with daily image guidance, provided greater pain relief over time. Patients who participated in swallowing rehabilitation programs also saw marked reductions in nausea and vomiting.
The findings suggest that while HNC patients experience substantial gains in QOL and physical function within the first 3 months of treatment, longer recovery may be needed for social and nutritional well-being. Modern RT techniques, especially HT, could offer enhanced pain management for these patients.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Chuang E et al. Improved quality of life in head and neck cancer patients treated with modern arc radiotherapy techniques – A prospective longitudinal analysis. Frontiers.
