Abstract
Objective To explore the change of life quality of patients with tumors of head and neck during radiotherapy. Methods 84 adult patients with tumors of head and neck who underwent the radiotherapy in one general hospital and one cancer hospital were selected. Patients' quality of life was surveyed using EORCT QLQ-C30 developed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer at the beginning and completion of radiotherapy. Results Patients' quality of life obviously decreased when the radiotherapy finished. The difference between before and after the radiotherapy had a statistical meaning (P < 0.01 ). Among each dimension, the role function, social function and general health status had a decrease of 24, 24 and 20 point in the score, respectively. The syndromes such as tiredness, pain, sleep disorders and anorexia significantly deteriorated, their scores had an increase of 36, 42, 22 and 42 point, respectively. Conclusions The quality of life of patients with tumors of head and neck obviously decreases before and after the radiotherapy. We should pay attention to adjusting the nursing emphasis, reducing the severe degree of syndrome, thereby helping the patients maintain the good quality of life. Key words: Tumors of head and neck; Quality of life; Nursing
Published Version
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