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Quality of life of patients treated surgically for head and neck cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

E. Jones*
Affiliation:
London
V. J. Lund
Affiliation:
London
D. J. Howard
Affiliation:
London
M. P. Greenberg
Affiliation:
London
M. McCarthy
Affiliation:
London
*
E. Jones, M.B., Ch.B., Department of Community Medicine, University College London, 66-72 Gower Street, London WCIE 6EA.

Abstract

The quality of survival of 48 patients treated surgically for head and neck cancer was assessed using a problem-orientated self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the European Organization for Research into the Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire to which a specific head and neck module was added. The following domains were studied: pain, fatigue, physical symptoms (gastrointestinal and ‘other’), functional activity, psychological symptoms, overall physical condition and overall quality of life. For the analysis, five groups of patients were considered: laryngectomy (n=15), pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (n=5), craniofacial procedure (n=11), ‘other operations’ (n=9) and patients with disease recurrence (n=8). Each group identified different problem areas. Laryngectomees and ‘other operation’ patients reported relatively few problems, whereas patients with disease recurrence described difficulties in all of the domains examined. Symptoms of fatigue were common. Information collected in this way may facilitate improved rehabilitation and thus better quality of survival.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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