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.