ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO ONCOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF THE HEAD AND NECK.

To evaluate the quality of life and the influence of sociodemographic and clinical variables in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Two instruments were used: sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Head Neck (FACT-HN). Results: 170 respondents, 60.6% male, 51.2% married, with laryngeal cancer being the most found (34.7%) of the total sample, 78.8% underwent surgical procedures. In FACT-HN, the variables that showed significance were: educational level, professional activity and salary income. Only in the subscale additional head and neck cancer specific concerns (HNSC) were significant: type of cancer, staging, chemotherapy and surgical treatment. Conclusions: The research contributes by showing that predictive factors of quality of life are also socioeconomic issues and not just clinical issues related to the therapeutic approach. Assistance planning is essential to provide support for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e a influência de variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas, nos pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de câncer de cabeça e de pescoço. Método: Estudo quantitativo, transversal. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos: questionário sociodemográfico e clínico e o instrumento Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Head Neck (FACT-HN). Resultados: 170 entrevistados, 60,6% do sexo masculino, 51,2% casados, sendo o câncer de laringe o mais encontrado (34,7%) do total da amostra, 78,8% realizaram procedimento cirúrgico. No FACT-HN, as variáveis que apresentaram significância foram: nível educacional, atividade profissional e renda salarial. Apenas na subescala preocupações adicionais específicas do câncer de cabeça e pescoço (PACP) foram significativos: tipo de câncer, estadiamento, tratamento quimioterápico e cirúrgico. Conclusões: A pesquisa contribui ao evidenciar que fatores preditores de qualidade de vida são também questões socioeconômicas e não apenas questões clínicas relacionadas a abordagem terapêutica. O planejamento da assistência é fundamental para fornecer um suporte com vistas a reabilitação e reinserção na sociedade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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