RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before and during treatment with high-dose cisplatin and radiotherapy. METHODS: This was an observational and longitudinal prospective study conducted from June 2011 to March 2013 at the clinical oncology ambulatory unit of a public teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to measure the QOL of patients before and after each chemotherapy cycle with high-dose cisplatin (80-100 mg/m(2), three cycles) and radiotherapy (2 Gy, 5 days/week for 7 weeks). Data were analyzed using Student t tests, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients completed the three cycles of treatment. The study population consisted primarily of white men with a mean age older than 50 years, who had a partner, a low education level, and who were heavy smokers and drinkers, Karnofsky Performance Status of 90% to 100%, pharynx tumors, and stage IV cancer, classified as T4 and N2 stages; the minority of them required interventions such as a feeding tube and tracheostomy. We observed a reduction in QOL after treatment initiation; this reduction was significant after the second chemotherapy cycle and the sixth week of radiotherapy. The abilities to taste, swallow, salivate, and participate in activities and recreation were affected significantly. We also observed a significant improvement in pain and anxiety resulting from the chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers need to be aware of the affected domains to provide improved QOL, well-being, and security to cancer patients who are receiving this type of treatment.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/terapia , Quimiorradioterapia , Cisplatino/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/terapia , Qualidade de Vida , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Faríngeas/terapia , Estudos Prospectivos , Dosagem Radioterapêutica , Sensação , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting using two different instruments and relate them to quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer receiving antineoplastic treatment. METHODS: Severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) was measured by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and a numerical scale. QOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire. KEY FINDINGS: Of the 50 patients studied, 60.0% reported nausea (40.0% CTCAE grade 1; 66.7% moderate intensity on numerical scale) and 30.0% reported vomiting (46.7% CTCAE grades 1 and 2, each; 66.7% moderate intensity on numerical scale). CINV did not influence overall QOL. CONCLUSION: The frequency of CINV was high. There was no association between nausea/vomiting and overall QOL.