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Symptom experience and regaining normality in the first year following a diagnosis of head and neck cancer: A qualitative longitudinal study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2012

Alex Molassiotis  and
Margaret Rogers
Alex Molassiotis*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work; University of Manchester Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
Margaret Rogers
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work; University of Manchester
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Alex Molassiotis, University of Manchester, School of Nursing, University Place, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction:

Symptom experiences and their interference with life are not well-researched in head and neck cancer patients. The aim of the study was to explore and understand the experience of receiving treatment for head and neck cancer with particular focus on symptom experiences over a one year period from diagnosis.

Methods:

A qualitative study design was used with a heterogeneous sample of 16 patients with head and neck cancer. Interviews, conducted at four time points over 12 months, provided a total of 50 interview datasets.

Results:

Key themes derived include nutritional concerns, tiredness, and experiences related to the radiotherapy mask and regaining normality. These data highlight issues of importance in the first year of living with head and neck cancer: impact of nutritional changes on the lives of patients, including weight loss, dysphagia, xerostomia and taste changes; debilitation from ongoing fatigue; unpreparedness for and distress from the radiotherapy mask; and attempts to maintain a normal life amidst the interference of symptoms.

Conclusion:

Multitude of symptoms impact the patients' life, particularly nutritional symptoms and fatigue, and interfere with the patients' survivorship and quality of life. The changing nature of symptoms over the first year from diagnosis in head and neck cancer patients and the identified issues in the attempt to normalize their lives need to be incorporated more fully into the supportive care of head and neck cancer patients in order to improve their experience and enhance their survivorship.

Keywords

DysphagiaHead and neck cancerNutritional concernsRadiotherapy maskXerostomia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , September 2012 , pp. 197 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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