The impact of pretreatment symptom burden on long‐term quality of life following head and neck radiation: A prospective longitudinal study

Background This study characterized the impact of baseline symptom burden on long‐term quality‐of‐life in patients receiving head and neck radiation therapy (RT). Methods The Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey was collected prior to head and neck RT and at follow‐up visits. Responses were divided into symptom clusters of toxicities and scored from 0 (asymptomatic) to 10 (severe). Patients with responses at baseline and 1‐year or 2‐year follow‐up were stratified by scores ≤1 or >1 and compared using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results At 1‐year follow‐up (n = 75), patients with higher baseline scores had greater symptom burden for every cluster except in taste/smell. At 2‐year follow‐up (n = 47), patients with higher baseline scores had greater symptom burden for every cluster except in nutrition, dry mouth, trismus, neck tightness, and hearing. Conclusion The Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey demonstrated a relationship between baseline symptom burden and long‐term quality‐of‐life and might be useful as a screening tool.