Changes in health related quality of life in women and men undergoing radiation treatment for head and neck cancer and the impact of smoking status in the radiation treatment period.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women and men undergoing radiation treatment for head and neck cancer through the intervention period and examine if age, body mass index (BMI) and smoking status at baseline may modify changes in HRQOL. METHODS HRQOL was examined by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35, in the beginning and end of the treatment period in 65 patients at the University Hospital in Northern Norway. Changes in HRQOL were calculated and compared by paired sample T-tests. Linear multiple regression analyses were used to examine if baseline characteristics had any influence towards HRQOL changes. RESULTS Most aspects of HRQOL declined substantially and significantly (p < 0.001) with a magnitude of more than one standard deviation during the radiation treatment period irrespective of sex and age. Smoking status at baseline had some, albeit minor, influence on changes in HRQOL. Patients who continued smoking during therapy had significantly higher decline in several aspects of HRQOL, compared to patients who stopped smoking. CONCLUSIONS HRQOL declined with substantial magnitude in patients undergoing radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, but smoking cessation may modify the declining quality of life.