Silke Tribius MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Corinna Bergelt DPhil, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elena Reemts, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yvonne Goy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christine Prosch, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cordula Petersen, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Andreas Krüll, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

"Background: Despite major advances in treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) the functional and psychosocial consequences of HNC and its treatment- related morbidity continue to cause suffering for patients with the disease and those who have been treated successfully and live with the long- term side effects of treatment. Outcome data of clinical trials with curative intent must not be limited to clinical endpoints but must also include prospective evaluation of QOL before, during and after treatment.""Materials and Methods: In May 2009 we started a prospective trial for all patients with locally advanced HNC receiving radio(chemo)therapy (RT/CRT) in the definitive as well as adjuvant setting with curative intent. Up to date we have enrolled 52 patients. Every patient receives the EORTC-QLQC30 as well as the EORTC-HN35- head and neck cancer specific module before start and at the end of treatment as well as during the first follow-up visit at 6 to 8 weeks and then every 6 months. Additional variables which possibly influence QOL during and after RT/CRT such as chemotherapy or BMI prior to radiation as well as socio-demographic variables will be included in the model as soon as the sample size of this ongoing study has increased sufficiently. Based on the current recruiting rate, analyses based on approximately 60 patients will be presented at the ASTRO annual meeting. So far we present preliminary data before and at the end of treatment for 24 patients.""Results: Preliminary data suggest that patients who underwent surgery prior to RT/CRT report a slightly lower global QOL and role functioning, but higher physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning than patients who did not receive surgery before RT/CRT. Moreover, patients who received surgery first experienced higher symptom scores with regard to a number of symptoms such as pain, swallowing, speech, social eating, teeth and opening mouth. Independently of surgery status, all patients show a significant decrease in physical functioning, role functioning and social functioning during RT/CRT. Emotional and cognitive functioning decreases by approximately 20 points during RT/CRT in patients who underwent surgery, while patients without surgery do not report any change in these scales. The documented sample size of this ongoing study is too small for clinical significance.""Conclusion: It is known that in HNC, RT/CRT reduce physical, role and social functioning. These interim data suggest there is an additional impact on emotional and cognitive functioning from surgery followed by CRT/RT. These results underline the importance of QOL measurements and if confirmed, indicate that patients who will receive combined modality treatment should have appropriate psychosocial counseling."

Tribius, S, Bergelt, C, Reemts, E, Goy, Y, Prosch, C, Petersen, C, Krüll, A, Who Does Better? Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Curative Intent.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9020159.html