Impact on quality of life and sleep in head and neck cancer survivors one year after receiving radiotherapy

Introduction: Head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are the seveth most prevalence cancer worldwide, these tumors affects in delicate areas. As a treatment method, radiotherapy is used in about 80% of cases. However, these metho have side effects, that in many cases remain even with the passage of time. Objetives: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of radiotherapy on sleep and quality of life in cancer survivors one year after finishing treatment. Method: This study included patients with HNSCC diagnosis and matched healthy controls. Included outcomes were sleep quality measured with Piitsburg sleep quality index (PSQI), quality of life measured with EQ-5D, and The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: Thirty patients were included, in which significant results (p<0.001) are found in sleep (PSQI) and quality of life (EQ-5D, QLQ) when comparing HNSCC and healthy controls. Conclusion: The variables related to sleep and quality of life show significant differences, the values being worse in the group with cancer.