Quality of life profile three months or more after the end of adjuvant radiotherapy used for the treatment of head and neck cancer in a High Complexity Oncology Care Center

The treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) is multimodal and can generate different physical and psychological impairments. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life profile of patients with HNC, in search of possible therapeutic targets that can be improved. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study, developed at a High Complexity Care Center in Oncology. Data were collected through anamnesis and the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire (UW-QOL). The sample consisted of 68 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy for at least 90 days. There was a predominance of males (89%) and an involvement of the oropharynx (69%). In addition to radiation therapy, 53% of individuals also underwent surgery and 65% chemotherapy. Stomatognathic functions were the most affected, followed by negative implications related to activities of daily living and psychological aspects. According to the nature of the domains found in the UW-QOL Questionnaire, the low scores observed in the questions related to the activities of daily living and in the components of the psychological status assessment, it is pertinent to assume that the late complications imposed by both the pathophysiology of the HNC as well as the antineoplastic treatment should be approached by a multidisciplinary team aligned with the synergistic objective of rehabilitating stomatognathic functions, nutrition, and physical capacity. Although our data do not suggest emotional impairments, additional support from a psychologist could be considered in order to strengthen and motivate engagement in the rehabilitation of the complex clinical condition intrinsic to HNC.