Rehabilitation outcomes of long‐term survivors treated for head and neck cancer

Abstract

This study indicates that T1 larynx patients report many physical complaints even though several years had elapsed since treatment. Also, laryngectomy patients may need psychosocial guidance for a longer posttreatment period and that health care personnel must involve the partner as much as possible in all communications. Commando procedure patients in particular feel hindered by their disfigurement and its consequences. Future research with respect to validation of the specific head and neck modules is needed.

Comparison of Psychosocial Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving a Coping Strategies Intervention and Control Subjects Receiving No Intervention

“…This exacerbation of psychological symptoms may be due to chronic stress caused by the threatening presence of the disease and the distress caused by trying to maintain a normal and healthy appearance (de Boer et al, 1995). Similarly, a study conducted by De Boer et al (1995) which supports the previous findings, found that over half of the patients who had undergone laryngectomy reported having their appearance highly damaged by such treatment, with the highest levels of complaints being among women. This study also showed that even 2 years after treatment, patients still reported feeling of uncertainty, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, sexual problems and trouble managing their emotions (de Boer et al, 1995).…”

“…That is, the levels of depression and anxiety among those patients were seen to increase with time (Rapoport et al, 1993). This exacerbation of psychological symptoms may be due to chronic stress caused by the threatening presence of the disease and the distress caused by trying to maintain a normal and healthy appearance (de Boer et al, 1995). Similarly, a study conducted by De Boer et al (1995) which supports the previous findings, found that over half of the patients who had undergone laryngectomy reported having their appearance highly damaged by such treatment, with the highest levels of complaints being among women.…”

“…For example, patients who undergo laryngectomy usually report problemsrelated to speech, altered appearance and decreased perceived abilities when swallowing (de Boer et al, 1995). Financial concems (Rogers et al, 1999;Terrell et al, 1999), changes in the body image (Gamba et al, 1992;Rogers et al, 1999), and negative reactions from the partner are also important issues that affect most of the head and neck patients, with sorne studies suggesting that most of these patients experience tensions in the family and sexual problems (e.g.…”

“…Financial concems (Rogers et al, 1999;Terrell et al, 1999), changes in the body image (Gamba et al, 1992;Rogers et al, 1999), and negative reactions from the partner are also important issues that affect most of the head and neck patients, with sorne studies suggesting that most of these patients experience tensions in the family and sexual problems (e.g. worsened relationship with their partner, reduced sexuality) (de Boer et al, 1995;Gamba et al, 1992). Indeed, the changes in social relations (Epstein et al, 1999;Gritz et al, 1999;Terrell et al, 1999), the increased social isolation and the emotional distress caused by the cancer disease to the family members, may in fact further the family's ability to support and help the patient (Gamba et al, 1992 According to a recent literature review on physical and psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer, anxiety, mood distress, depression, worry and fatigue were found to be the main problems among this population (de Boer et al, 1999;Pruyn et al, 1986).…”

Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) — Endoscopic Method for Detection of Head and Neck Cancer

“…The results are not only cosmetic, but also functional defects, such as swallowing, chewing, breathing disorders and voice production deterioration. Early detection of these tumours is therefore one of the most important factors of treatment success [2].…”