High symptom burden prior to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: a patient-reported outcomes study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As a first step toward developing effective strategies to control symptoms associated with head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment, we sought to describe the pattern of symptoms experienced before radiation therapy.

Methods

Subjects completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Module before beginning radiation therapy.

Results

In all, 270 patients participated. Symptom severity and interference varied between treatment-naïve patients and those with prior treatment. Cluster analyses revealed that 33% of patients had high symptom burden. Symptoms most often rated moderate-to-severe were fatigue, sleep disturbance, distress, pain, and problems chewing and swallowing. Poorer performance status, higher T classification, and receipt of previous

SUBMITTER: Gunn GB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3788079 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature