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The quality of life of patients with head neoplasms and incidence of depression treated with radiotherapy. A preliminary research report
Affiliations- Podhale State College of Applied Sciences in Nowy Targ, Nowy Targ, Poland
- Jedrzej Sniadecki Specialist Hospital in Nowy Sacz, Nowy Sacz, Poland
- Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland
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Abstract
Introduction. The diagnosis of a primary tumor of the central nervous system is a source of huge fear and anxiety for a patient, because the prognosis is usually unfavorable. Very often, the cancer is accompanied by depression, which reduces the effectiveness of treatment and worsens the patient’s functioning in everyday life.
The aim. The aim of the study is to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between quality of life and incidence of depression, as well as the side effects of treatment in people treated with radiation for head cancer.
Material and methods. The study group consisted of 103 patients during treatment in the Radiotherapy Ward of the Specialist Hospital in Nowy Sącz. The research tools were: the WHO QOL-Bref questionnaire, the Beck Depression Scale and a questionnaire of the author’s own design regarding patients treated with radiation therapy for head cancer.
Results. The general perception of the quality of life in the studied group was 2.88 points, the general perception of the patient’s own health was 1.88 points. The average quality of life was the highest in the environmental field: 62.50 ± 23.21, while the lowest in the physical field: 44.24 ± 28.65.
Conclusions. Both the overall assessment of the quality of life in the assessed areas and the perception of health by patients treated with radiation therapy for head cancer are low.
Abstract
Introduction. The diagnosis of a primary tumor of the central nervous system is a source of huge fear and anxiety for a patient, because the prognosis is usually unfavorable. Very often, the cancer is accompanied by depression, which reduces the effectiveness of treatment and worsens the patient’s functioning in everyday life.
The aim. The aim of the study is to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between quality of life and incidence of depression, as well as the side effects of treatment in people treated with radiation for head cancer.
Material and methods. The study group consisted of 103 patients during treatment in the Radiotherapy Ward of the Specialist Hospital in Nowy Sącz. The research tools were: the WHO QOL-Bref questionnaire, the Beck Depression Scale and a questionnaire of the author’s own design regarding patients treated with radiation therapy for head cancer.
Results. The general perception of the quality of life in the studied group was 2.88 points, the general perception of the patient’s own health was 1.88 points. The average quality of life was the highest in the environmental field: 62.50 ± 23.21, while the lowest in the physical field: 44.24 ± 28.65.
Conclusions. Both the overall assessment of the quality of life in the assessed areas and the perception of health by patients treated with radiation therapy for head cancer are low.
Keywords
head cancer; depression; quality of life
About this articleTitle
The quality of life of patients with head neoplasms and incidence of depression treated with radiotherapy. A preliminary research report
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Research paper (original)
Pages
212-219
Published online
2021-02-08
Page views
736
Article views/downloads
479
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(4):212-219.
Keywords
head cancer
depression
quality of life
Authors
Bogumiła A. Lubińska-Żądło
Anna Pych
Bożena Kowalczyk
Bożena Zawadzka
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