Head and Neck Lymphedema Assessment Methods

Abstract

Lymphedema is a common side effect of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. 1,2 Head and neck lymphedema (HNL) can occur externally (ie, swelling underneath the skin in the submental region and neck) or internally (ie, swelling of the oral cavity and pharynx), or both. 1,2 Because of the unique features of HNL in comparison with lymphedema in other regions of the body, different methods are needed for assessment. The aim of this Research Round-Up is to provide an overview of the psychometric properties of assessment methods of HNL. Assessment methods of HNL can be categorized as follows: (1) patient-reported; (2) clinician-reported; and (3) objective. 3 The Lymphedema Symptom Intensity & Distress Survey-Head and Neck (LSIDS-H&N) is a patientreported measure designed to capture symptom burden and functional loss related to lymphedema and fibrosis in survivors of HNC. 4,5 The original version contained 67 items related to sensations within head and neck region (ie, tightness, stiffness, tingling, pain), psychosocial issues (ie, concern about how you look, decreased social activity, problems driving, problems wearing certain clothes), head and neck functional impairments and symptom burden (ie, problems swallowing, voice changes, sinus congestion), and perception of tissue swelling (ie, swelling in the face, neck, and tongue). 5 All items ask whether symptom is experienced in the past week. If yes, then patients rate the severity and degree of distress using a numeric rating scale from 1 (slight) to 10 (severe) for