ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate quality of life in elderly patients treated with iodine-125 radioactive seed implantation for head and neck cancer.Methods From 2005 to 2011,40 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old)with head and neck cancer were treated with brachytherapy of 125I seed implantation alone (without radiation therapy history)and evaluated with QOL-RTI questionnaire for QOL.QOL of them were evaluated and relative factors were analyzed.Results QOL of these patients treated with 125 I-brachytherapy alone was satisfied.QOL in patients with the base tongue cancer was worse than that in others.Age had a significant effect on function/physical QOL and general QOL,but had no significant effect on emotional QOL and socioeconomic QOL.QOL of patients with early stage cancers were better than those with late stage cancers.Pathology,numbers of 125I seeds implanted,and time-period after brachytherapy had no significant effect on QOL.Conclusions QOL of elderly patients with head and neck cancer treated with125 I-BT is good.Tumor volume and clinical staging have significant effects on QOL.