目的：本前瞻及縱貫性研究之目的是描述鼻咽癌病患從診斷到放射治療後 3 個月的生活品質及副
作用之急性變化。
材料與方法：總共有兩機構一百九十五位鼻咽癌病患符合鼻咽部放射劑量不低於70 Gy、頸部放射
劑量不低於 50 Gy 被邀請參與研究。藉由歐洲癌症研究與治療組織（European Organization for
Research and Treatment of Cancer, EORTC）的 EORTC QLQ C-30 及 EORTC QLQ-H&N35 量表，評估病患在治療前、治療結束、治療結束後1 個月和3 個月之健康相關的生活品質及副作用。
結果：本研究中，治療後 3 個月有最好的整體健康狀況，明顯優於治療前和治療結束（p <
0.001）。生理功能（p = 0.003）、角色功能（p < 0.001）及情緒功能（p = 0.028）在不同時間點呈現統計的顯著不同。包括疲倦（p < 0.001）、噁心/ 嘔吐（p < 0.001）、疼痛（p < 0.001）、失眠（p < 0.001）、食慾不振（p < 0.001）、便秘（p < 0.001）和腹瀉（p = 0.035）等數項症狀在不同時間點均達到顯著差異。在 EORTC QLQ-H&N35 量表中，病患在治療結束時其生活品質最差且副作用最大，並在治療後 3 個月逐漸復原。
結論：整體來說，在不同時間點的生活品質與副作用有相關的差異。生活品質與各項副作用在治
療結束時急遽變壞，並於治療後 3 個月中逐步改善。臨床醫師可藉由本研究評估治療風險、治
療後的復健、心理諮商及衛教照護，對於了解鼻咽癌病患治療後的生活品質之急性變化亦有所助
益。

Purpose : The aim of this prospective, longitudinal study is to describe the acute changes of quality of life (QoL) and complications in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from the time of diagnosis until 3 months after radiotherapy.
Materials and Methods : One hundred and ninety-five nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients in two institutions were invited to participate; all the patients received radiation doses of at least 70 Gy to the nasopharynx and at least 50 Gy to the neck. Health- related QoL and complications of the patients were assessed by means of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ C-30) and the EORTC head and neck module (QLQ H&N-35) at four different stages: before treatment; end of treatment; and 1 and 3 months after treatment.
Results : Our data shows that patients have the best overall health status three months after completion of radiotherapy. Patients’ condition was significantly better than the time before treatment and at the end of treatment (p < 0.001). Differences in physical function (p = 0.003), role function (p < 0.001) and emotional function (p = 0.028) were statistically significant at different stages. Symptoms including fatigue (p < 0.001), nausea/ vomiting (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.001), insomnia (p < 0.001), poor appetite (p < 0.001), constipation (p < 0.001) and diarrhea (p = 0.035) had statistically significant variations at different stages. In the QLQ H&N-35 module, patients had the worst QoL and complications at the end
of treatment, with both factors gradually recovering 3 months after completion of treatment.
Conclusion : As a whole, the QoL and complications show wide variations at different stages. The rapid deterioration of QoL and complications are noted at the end of treatment and improve by degrees at the first 3 months after treatment. In this study, our data may provide information to support
clinical physicians in assessing the risk of side effects related to treatment, and help them in providing rehabilitation, mental consultation and supportive care after completion of treatment. The results may also help us to understand the acute changes in QoL after in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.