Methods
77 of 117 patients responded to a validated questionnaire from the Danish HNC patient network, age 61 (32 - 90) with 5 years (0 to 32) post treatment period.
Results
99% of the patients experienced at least one side effect, 67% more than twenty symptoms categorised into mouth complains, swallowing and eating problems, affected speaking ability, pain and fatigue during their daily living. Ten years survival was the only significant prognostic factor OR 0.13 (CI 0.02-0.81). Only swallowing and eating problems were significantly reduced over time (p=0.048) and in relation to calendar period (0.049), but not with increasing age.
Conclusion
The patients experienced pronounced sequelae, independent of gender, age and treatment/intervention.