Quality of Life in Long-Term Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Author Information
Author(s): Hammerlid E, Taft C
Primary Institution: Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University
Hypothesis
To examine the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in long-term head and neck (H&N) cancer survivors compared with general population norms.
Conclusion
Three years after diagnosis, head and neck cancer patients still experience significant functional limitations related to their disease and treatment, but these do not generally affect their overall health-related quality of life.
Supporting Evidence
- The H&N cancer patients' SF-36 scores did not differ significantly from those of an age- and sex-matched sample from the Swedish normative population.
- Treatment-related side-effects and disease-specific problems were significantly worse than norm values.
- Female H&N cancer patients generally scored better than the norms on both the SF-36 and the EORTC QLQ-C30.
- Patients ≥65 years more often scored worse than the norm than did patients <65.
Takeaway
People who survived head and neck cancer still have some problems from their treatment, but overall, they feel okay about their health.
Methodology
HRQL was assessed using three standardized questionnaires: the SF-36 Health Survey, EORTC QLQ-C30, and QLQ-H&N35.
Limitations
The study may not fully capture the experiences of all head and neck cancer survivors due to the specific sample and methodology used.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 62 years, 31% females.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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