Comparison of quality of life in head and neck stage IV squamous cell cancer patients treated with surgery and reconstruction versus radical radiotherapy.

This study aimed to analyze the differences in quality of life (QOL) in head and neck stage IV squamous cell cancer patients treated with surgery and reconstruction versus radical radiotherapy. The QOL was analyzed in 2 groups of patients. All patients had the same demographic and oncologic features but were treated differently. Group 1 (n = 16) was compound with patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy, whereas group 2 (n = 14) was formed with those who received radical radiotherapy. The University of Washington questionnaire was used for this purpose. A total of 30 questionnaires were received. The total score of the questionnaires ranged from 485 to 1120. The mean values were 837.8 for group 1 and 827.85 for group 2, with no statistical significance. Significant differences were found in several domains. By using a validated questionnaire, it is possible to estimate the impact in QOL of these patients.