颈部皮肤与软组织放疗相关晚期毒性对头颈癌患者生活质量的影响：日本多中心观察性研究

This multi-institutional observational study aimed to assess the incidence, severity, and impact of radiotherapy-related late toxicities of the cervical skin and soft tissue in head and neck cancer patients. We also explored patient interest in fat grafting as a potential treatment for skin and soft tissue sequelae.

This study was conducted across 19 institutions in Japan. The study involved head and neck cancer patients who received 60 Gy of cervical radiotherapy concomitant with a history of neck dissection and were free of cancer recurrence 3 years after the final treatment. Consenting outpatients completed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on symptom severity and the attending outpatient physicians reported data on demographics and treatments in a case report form.

A total of 222 patients were enrolled. The incidence proportion of late cervical skin and soft tissue toxicities was 96%, with 32% of patients reporting their symptoms as severe, and 69% of patients reporting an impact on quality of life (QOL). An interest in or consideration of fat grafting was reported by 34% of patients, with a greater desire among those with severe symptoms.

This study elucidated the incidence, severity, and life impact of late toxicities affecting the cervical skin and soft tissue after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. These late toxicities were highly prevalent and significantly impacted QOL. There is a substantial demand for new treatments, such as fat grafting, to address these complications and enhance the QOL for survivors of head and neck cancer.