Pilot Study of Quality-of-Life Differences Between Surgical and Non-Surgical Organ Preservation Strategies in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Q: What was the main aim of the pilot study?

To evaluate quality of life, functional outcomes, and symptom impact in head and neck cancer patients, and to compare surgical treatment with non-surgical organ preservation therapy.

Q: How many patients were included and when were questionnaires completed?

The pilot cohort included 25 patients, and participants completed EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 at least three months after treatment.

Q: Which group showed fatigue as the most common symptom?

Fatigue was the most common symptom overall and was particularly higher in the chemoradiotherapy (non-surgical organ preservation) group.

Sep 29, 2026

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Head and neck cancer treatments can substantially shape long-term quality of life, with distinct modalities influencing functional recovery and symptom burden. This pilot cohort study compared quality of life, functional outcomes, and symptom impact in head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive surgery versus non-surgical organ preservation therapy. Twenty-five patients completed EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 Greek versions at least three months post-treatment, with SPSS-based significance testing (p<0.05).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

How to cite this article

Review began 12/06/2025 Review ended 12/29/2025 Published 01/04/2026 © Copyright 2026 Zachou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0. , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.100728 Open Access Original Article Pilot Study of Quality-of-Life Differences Between Surgical and Non-Surgical Organ Preservation Strategies in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Zoi Zachou 1, Dimitrios Dimitroulis 2, 3 , Ourania Natsiopoulou 4, Zoi Gartagani 4, Panagiotis Chadoulos 4, Ioannis Seggas 1, Efthymios Kyrodimos 4, 1 1. School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC 2. Second Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC 3. Hellenic Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Study Group, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC 4. First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hippocration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, GRC Corresponding author: Zoi Zachou, [zoizachou@gmail.com](zoizachou@gmail.com) Abstract Introduction Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatments can significantly affect long-term quality of life, with different treatment modalities impacting other aspects of patient well-being. Our study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QoL), functional outcomes, and symptom impact in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and to compare outcomes between patients who underwent definitive surgical treatment and those treated with non-surgical organ preservation therapy. Materials and methods A pilot cohort study was performed between September 2024 and September 2025 in Hippocrateion General Hospital, Athens, Greece, including 25 HNC patients diagnosed and treated with curative intent. Participants completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck 35 (QLQ-H&N35) (Greek versions) at least three months after their treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, and pvalues <0 .05 were considered significant. Results From the 25 participants, 13 had surgical treatment, and 12 underwent non-surgical organ preservation therapy (radiotherapy ± chemotherapy) . The mean global QoL score was 59.3, higher in the surgical group than in the chemoradiotherapy group (65 .36 vs. 52.73, p=0 . 15) . Functional outcomes were good overall, with a mean functional score of 77.84 and slightly better results in the surgical group (81 .05 vs. 74.35) . Fatigue was the most common symptom (mean score 41. 72), particularly in the chemoradiotherapy group (48 .1 vs. 35.83, p 0. 18) . In the QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire, painkiller use, sensory loss (taste and smell), and sexual problems were the main problems in surgical patients. In contrast, xerostomia and weight loss were the main concerns among the non-surgical organ preservation group. Conclusions Patients from both treatment groups had satisfactory QoL; however, symptom profiles differed between the groups. Surgical patients used painkillers more commonly and had more sensory disturbances, impacting their quality of life. In contrast, those treated with non-surgical organ preservation therapy had more common fatigue, problems with xerostomia, and weight loss. These modality-specific challenges should be considered in personalised survivorship to optimise post-treatment recovery and good quality of life in HNC patients. Categories: Quality Improvement, Oncology, Otolaryngology Keywords: functional outcomes, head neck cancer, quality of life, survivors, treatment strategies Introduction Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most frequently occurring cancer worldwide [1] . With the advances in oncologic treatment, current 5-year survival rates now e

FAQs

What was the main aim of the pilot study?

To evaluate quality of life, functional outcomes, and symptom impact in head and neck cancer patients, and to compare surgical treatment with non-surgical organ preservation therapy.

How many patients were included and when were questionnaires completed?

The pilot cohort included 25 patients, and participants completed EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 at least three months after treatment.

Which group showed fatigue as the most common symptom?

Fatigue was the most common symptom overall and was particularly higher in the chemoradiotherapy (non-surgical organ preservation) group.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by supergirl