Impact of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment on Survivors' Mealtime Experience

Chan, Karen M. K.; Chan, Herman K. W.; Siu, Jerry Y. L.; Pu, Dandan; Nund, Rebecca L.; Ward, Elizabeth C.

doi:10.1002/lary.27501

Cited by 11 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Side effects of treatment include dysphagia and other eating-related difficulties due to pain, xerostomia, mucositis and lack of appetite [ 2 ]. Ninety percent of patients with HNC have eating and drinking difficulties after treatment [ 3 , 4 ]. Subsequently, food has a changed meaning, where eating and drinking with others are identified as a challenge [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences and perceptions of social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

Dornan

Semple

Moorhead

2022

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Purpose Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) describe eating as more than a physical activity for nutrition and calories. After treatment for HNC, patients report a changed social experience around food, with eating and drinking in front of family and friends depicted as a challenge. However, there is limited research exploring how patients with HNC adapt and cope with social eating difficulties. This study aims to explore patients’ experiences and perceptions of social eating and drinking following treatment for HNC. Methods A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed to understand the experiences of social eating of patients living with and beyond HNC. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively develop key themes from the data. Results Fourteen interviews were conducted with patients, and two key themes were identified: (1) “Social eating became a conscious process” and (2) “Strategies to maximise social eating participation”. To maximise social eating enjoyment, patients attempted to minimise the attention on their eating function and the fuss created around food. Patients with HNC established psychological and cognitive adaptations to manage expectations and promote positive participation in social eating. Conclusion This paper identifies key barriers limiting or diminishing social eating for patients with HNC; including being self-conscious, lack of understanding from others and functional issues with eating and drinking. This research highlights the need to raise awareness of social eating challenges and for the social dimensions of eating to be addressed through family-centred, supportive holistic interventions implemented early in the patient’s cancer journey.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences and perceptions of social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

Dornan

Semple

Moorhead

2022

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“…For patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), eating and drinking with others are reported as a significant challenge [10]. Research reports that up to 90% of patients with HNC have eating and drinking difficulties after treatment [11,12]. A potential range of side effects can inhibit a patient's ability to eat and drink, including pain, xerostomia, mucositis, nausea, lack of appetite, dysphagia, and dysgeusia [11,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative systematic review of the social eating and drinking experiences of patients following treatment for head and neck cancer

Dornan

Semple

Moorhead

et al. 2021

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Purpose Patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer (HNC) often have long-term, functional challenges as a result of treatment. A key functional challenge relates to eating and drinking; often associated with physical, emotional, and social difficulties. Eating and drinking with family members and friends can become a struggle, increasing the risk of social isolation and loneliness. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise the literature on the experiences of social eating and drinking for patients following treatment for HNC. Methods Six electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Scopus) were systematically searched using subject headings and free-text word searches in February 2020. Citation chaining and Google Scholar were used to identify grey literature. PRISMA procedures were followed. Results Of 6910 records identified, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the research findings results in two major themes: (1) the experience of loss associated with social eating and drinking, and (2) adjusting and support to promote social eating and drinking. Conclusion Losses associated with social eating affect a patient’s psychological and emotional well-being and impact on close relationships. To promote positive participation in social eating, patients were more likely to seek and receive support from someone within their close social network, rather than a healthcare professional. Family and friends are an essential source of support and are integral in facilitating engagement with social eating following treatment for HNC. Future interventions should promote family orientated resources, incorporating self-management strategies.

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“…Dysphagia can pose a negative impact on the quality-of-life of NPC survivors [6]. A study that examined a group of head and neck cancer survivors, more than half of whom had been diagnosed with NPC, demonstrated that experiences around meals were intrinsically altered following treatment, and accordingly the life and social events that involved eating and drinking were negatively affected [7]. Subjective dysphagia can be observed in up to 84% of NPC survivors [6,8], and instrumental examination using endoscopy or fluoroscopy have found even higher rates for specific functional abnormalities (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationships Between Radiation Dosage and Long-term Swallowing Kinematics and Timing in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors

Lee

Chan

et al. 2021

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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry and swallowing kinematic and timing measures. Thirteen kinematic and timing measures of swallowing from videofluoroscopic analysis were used as outcome measures to reflect swallowing function. IMRT dosimetry was accessed for thirteen swallowing-related structures. A cohort of 44 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) survivors at least 3 years post-IMRT were recruited. The cohort had a mean age of 53.2 ± 11.9 years, 77.3% of whom were male. There was an average of 68.24 ± 14.15 months since end of IMRT; 41 (93.2%) had undergone concurrent chemotherapy. For displacement measures, female sex and higher doses to the cricopharyngeus, glottic larynx, and base of tongue were associated with reduced hyolaryngeal excursion and pharyngeal constriction, and more residue. For timing measures, higher dose to the genioglossus was associated with reduced processing time at all stages of the swallow. The inferior pharyngeal constrictor emerged with a distinctly different pattern of association with mean radiation dosage compared to other structures. Greater changes to swallowing kinematics and timing were observed for pudding thick consistency than thin liquid. Increasing radiation dosage to swallowing-related structures is associated with reduced swallowing kinematics. However, not all structures are affected the same way, therefore organ sparing during treatment planning for IMRT needs to consider function rather than focusing on select muscles. Dose-response relationships should be investigated with a comprehensive set of swallowing structures to capture the holistic process of swallowing.

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Impact of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment on Survivors' Mealtime Experience

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Experiences and perceptions of social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

Experiences and perceptions of social eating for patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer: a qualitative study

A qualitative systematic review of the social eating and drinking experiences of patients following treatment for head and neck cancer

The Relationships Between Radiation Dosage and Long-term Swallowing Kinematics and Timing in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors

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