Observational studyCancer medicine2026
Quality of Life and Return to Work After Radiotherapy in Young Adults With Head-and-Neck Cancer-A Bicentric Cross-Sectional Observational Study.
Observational study in Cancer medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- The influence of urban versus rural residence and travel distance on net income, out-of-pocket payments and quality of life in German head and neck cancer survivors.Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026Article
- The Self-Perpetuating Cycle of Psychological Distress and Clinical Outcomes in Head and Neck Oncology.Cancers · 2026Review
- Quality of Life and Return to Work After Radiotherapy in Young Adults With Head-and-Neck Cancer-A Bicentric Cross-Sectional Observational Study.Cancer medicine · 2026Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveYoung adults (18-45 years) with head-and-neck cancer represent a unique population with limited data on quality of life (QoL) and return-to-work after radiotherapy. This bicentric study aimed to evaluate these outcomes.
methodsConducted at two comprehensive cancer centers, the study included young head-and-neck cancer survivors treated with curative radiotherapy between 2003 and 2023. QoL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN43; distress, depression, and anxiety with the NCCN Distress Thermometer, PHQ-9, and GAD-7; fear of cancer progression and work ability with FoP-Q-SF and WAI.
resultsOut of 83 eligible patients, 58 (70%) participated. The median age at radiotherapy was 41 years, with a balanced gender distribution (40% female, 60% male). The median time from radiotherapy to questionnaire completion was 82.5 months. Mean global QoL was 65.0, comparable to the age- and gender-matched reference population (67.2). Clinically relevant distress was reported by 52%, severe depressive symptoms by 12%, moderate-to-severe anxiety by 21%, and strong fear of cancer progression by 38%. At the time of the study, 66% had returned to work. Those who returned to work reported lower symptom scores, and less depression, anxiety, and distress. In the multiple regression analysis, gender was significantly associated with return to work, with females showing higher odds of returning.
conclusionsWhile overall QoL was comparable to the general population, young head-and-neck cancer survivors face psychological and work reintegration challenges. Returning to work is associated with improved QoL and reduced psychological symptoms, highlighting the need for tailored survivorship care.
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