Parotid sparing and quality of life in long-term survivors of locally advanced head and neck cancer after intensity-modulated radiation therapy

ConclusionLong-term HNC survivors show a  similar treatment-related toxicity profile independent of unilateral vs. bilateral parotid-sparing IMRT. Sparing one or both parotids had no effect on global QoL nor on the magnitude of changes in function and symptom scales over the observation period of 60 months. The financial impact of the di sease and its detrimental effect on long-term QoL pose an additional risk to unmet needs in this special patient population. These results suggest that long-term survivors need and most likely will benefit from early medical intervention and support within survivorship programs.
Source: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research