QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA RECEIVING CONCURRENT CHEMO-RADIATION USING RAPID ARC

Abstract

Objective: To determine the mean change in quality of life in patients of Head & Neck carcinoma treated with concurrent chemo-radiation using rapid arc radiotherapy Study Design: Quasi Experimental study Study setting and duration: Radiotherapy department, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore and the duration of the study was six months from April 2024 to October 2024. Mythology: After meeting selection criteria 60 patients were enrolled. At presentation, patients were examined by using standard EORTC questionnaires and QOL score was noted. Then radiotherapy planning was carried out using CT simulation with a 3mm slice thickness. They were assessed before and at the end of radiotherapy and were followed up after 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, patients were examined again by using standard EORTC questionnaires and QOL score was noted. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.27±9.7 years, 31 (51.7%) patients were male, while 29 (48.3%) were females. The mean QOL of life of the patients before treatment was 73.25±13.75 and after treatment its mean value was reduced to 43.78±10.47 (p-value=0.038). The mean change in QOL of the patients was 29.47±9.50. Conclusion: On the basis of this study we may conclude that the mean change in quality of life in patients of Head & Neck carcinoma treated with concurrent chemo-radiation using rapid arc radiotherapy was 29.47±9.50.