THE IMPACT OF CONCURRENT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY AND ORAL FUNGAL COLONIZATION ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER USING THE QLQ-HN43 QUESTIONNAIRE
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and oral fungal colonization on the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 156 patients diagnosed and treated for head and neck cancer between December 2020 and December 2024. All patients underwent clinical examinations, including assessments for oral fungal colonization and evaluations of general health status using the Karnofsky Performance Scale. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ-HN43 questionnaire. Results: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy significantly affected patients’ general health status and quality of life (p < 0.001). Oral fungal colonization alone was not associated with changes in the Karnofsky score or other quality-of-life dimensions in the overall patient population. However, among patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the presence of oral Candida was associated with a further deterioration in quality of life. Conclusion: The findings indicated that both concurrent chemoradiotherapy and oral fungal colonization negatively affect the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer.
Keywords
Head and neck cancer, Chemoradiotherapy, Oral fungal colonization, Quality of life
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References
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