Objective: To investigate the level of illness perception and living quality in radiotherapy patients with head and neck tumor, and analyze the correlation between them, so as to provide a basis for improving the quality of life of patients. Methods: 110 radiotherapy patients with head and neck tumors were surveyed by the brief illness perception questionnaire and quality of life questionnaire from June to December 2018. The continuous variables were examined by T-test and the correlation analysis was performed by Pearson.Results: The score of illness perception of the whole group was（43.7±9.98）. Negative correlation was observed between illness perception and variables such as body function, role function, emotional function, social function and overall quality of life. Fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite and constipation were positively correlated with patients’ illness perception. Conclusion: Illness perception affects the quality of life of radiotherapy patients with head and neck cancer. Reasonable nursing measures should be taken to improve the illness perception status, and thus improve the quality of life of patients.

Head and neck cancer, Illness perception, Quality of life, Radiotherapy