Quality of Life after Treatment for Laryngeal Carcinomas

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different surgical treatments as well as of radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinomas on health-related quality of life (QL). In a prospective, randomized multicenter study (five university hospitals in Germany), a total of 146 patients with laryngeal carcinomas (UICC stages: I–IV) underwent different surgical treatments (32 total laryngectomies, 81 CO₂ laser microsurgical partial laryngectomies, 33 open partial laryngectomies). Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 44 patients. QL data were obtained by using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). Impaired QL data were seen after total laryngectomy and after radiotherapy. Radiotherapy seemed to have more impact on QL than surgical treatment. Global QL was not affected by any treatment. In general, the QL data were not as discriminating as presumed. To evaluate coping abilities, objective measures (voice, swallowing, breathing) should be obtained for comparison in further investigations.

Total chemical synthesis and oxidative folding of δ‐conotoxin PVIA containing an N‐terminal propeptide

“…The data suggest stronger limitations in functioning following radio(chemo‐)therapy compared with surgery alone. This has also been described by previous studies for radiation therapy,43 while surgery, even total laryngectomy, seems to have less impact on health‐related quality of life and functioning 44, 45. Still, a comparison of functional outcome after surgery alone versus radio‐chemotherapy alone would have added more information but was not possible with the given data.…”

Assessment of functioning in patients with head and neck cancer according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): A multicenter study

“…This has also been described by previous studies for radiation therapy, 43 while surgery, even total laryngectomy, seems to have less impact on health-related quality of life and functioning. 44,45 Still, a comparison of functional outcome after surgery alone versus radio-chemotherapy alone would have added more information but was not possible with the given data. Surprisingly, functional impairment seems to be more disturbed in patients of 60 years and younger than in the comparably older age group.…”

Vocal Handicap and Quality of Life After Treatment of Advanced Squamous Carcinoma of the Larynx and/or Hypopharynx

“…6,14À16 The health-related QOL (HR-QOL) after treatment for cancer of the larynx was evaluated by several authors. 10,14,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] At first, it was expected that the vocal impairments resulting from the different modalities of treatment would be reflected in the patients' HR-QOL. However, several studies have shown that this relationship is not direct.…”