The impact of external beam radiotherapy treatment on the quality of life of head and neck patients in Malta

Abstract

Purpose: External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the head and neck (H&N) region may affect the quality of life (QoL) of the patients receiving it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL changes of H & N cancer patients receiving EBRT in a local oncology centre from the first week of H & N EBRT to the last week of H & N EBRT. Methodology: This study used a quantitative longitudinal research design, whereby two established questionnaires were distributed to consenting patients twice, once during the first week of external beam radiotherapy treatment to the head and neck region and another time during the last week of external beam radiotherapy treatment to the head and neck region. Results: In this research, eleven participants undergoing radical EBRT to the H &N region consented to participate. In this study, seven (63.64%) patients reported a decrease in their overall QoL from the first week of EBRT to the H & N region to the last week of EBRT to the H & N region. Five (71.43%) of these patients had lymph node (LN) treatment. Four out of the five patients that were prescribed LN treatment also received concurrent chemoradiation. Conclusions: According to this study, EBRT has a detrimental effect on the QoL for the majority of patients with H & N cancer. Implications for practice: The results of the study can be used to set up a holistic support system for head and neck cancer patients within the local radiotherapy department of the state general hospital.