e24088 Background: Head and neck cancer patients commonly have unmet needs. Our purpose was to determine the number, type, and predictors of unmet survivorship needs in patients with head and neck cancer over their cancer journey. Methods: Patients with primary, non-metastatic head and neck cancer were prospectively enrolled prior to curative intent treatment (surgery, radiation and or systemic therapy in any combination). Patients completed baseline demographics, the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs Measure (CaSUN) and the FACT-HN and then again 3, and 6 months post-treatment. Mean unmet needs at each time point were calculated. Univariable and stepwise multivariable analyses of predictors for number of unmet needs were performed at each time point. Results: Among 187 participants, median age was 64 (31-88) and 148 (79%) were male. Education was beyond high school in 117 (63%) and 63 (41%) were working at diagnosis. Most patients had oropharynx (n = 84; 46%), hypopharynx/larynx (n = 40; 22%) or oral cavity (n = 28;15%) cancers. At least one unmet need was reported by 68%, 52%, and 56% at baseline, 3 and 6 months. The mean number of unmet needs was 7.5 ± 9.1 at baseline, 3.8 ± 6 at 3 months and 5.4 ± 8.5 at 6 months. Higher education level [3.24 (0.24,6.24); p = 0.035] and worse QOL [-0.14 (-0.22,-0.06); p < 0.01] were associated with increased survivorship unmet needs on multivariable analysis at baseline. Worse QOL was associated with increased survivorship unmet needs on multivariable analysis at 3 [-0.21 (-0.31,-0.12); p < 0.01] and 6 months [-0.27 (-0.49,-0.06); p < 0.01]. Table describes the top unmet needs. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients with head and neck cancer have unmet needs, more commonly in patients with poorer quality of life. Post-treatment, unmet needs were more often related to treatment toxicities and their impact on quality of life. [Table: see text]
Sparing All Salivary Glands With IMRT for Head and Neck Cancer: Longitudinal Study of Patient-Reported Xerostomia and Head and Neck Quality Of Life
