Cancer. 2014 Nov 4. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29097. [Epub ahead of print]

The symptom burden of treatment-naive patients with head and neck cancer

Hanna EY, Mendoza TR, Rosenthal DI, Gunn GB, Sehra P, Yucel E, Cleeland CS

In this retrospective study of 748 patients with head and neck cancer who have not received treatment, symptoms, quality of life and health status were investigated using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, health-related quality of life and functional well-being scales. One-third of patients had a high symptom burden, with pain, fatigue, distress, and disturbed sleep being the most severe symptoms. Pain, fatigue, distress, and disturbed sleep at moderate to severe levels (5 or more on the 0-10 scale) were each present in about one-third of patients, with severe levels (7 or more) each being present in around 20% of patients. Symptom burden was higher in patients with more advanced disease, having a skull base or mucosal tumour and being female. This study shows the high prevalence of symptoms in treatment-naive patients with head and neck cancer and need to assess patient-reported symptoms routinely before treatment. Furthermore, symptom management should be delivered alongside disease directed therapy.

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