Factors related to quality of life and functional status in 50 patients with head and neck cancer

Quality of life assessment in patients undergoing head and neck surgery as evaluated by lay caregivers

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Rehabilitation following head and neck cancer surgery has steadily moved into the outpatient realm and become dependent on caregivers with no formal medical background (lay caregivers.) Satisfactory rehabilitation and quality of life (QOL) depend on successful relationships between patients and the lay caregivers. This study evaluates the QOL assessments of patients by themselves and their primary lay caregivers before head and neck surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Institutional Review Board-approved study using validated QOL assessment instrument.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The preoperative QOL status in 50 patients undergoing extensive head and neck surgery was evaluated using the self-administered Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36). The patient's primary lay caregiver (spouse, child, or friend) completed a similar questionnaire evaluating the patient's status.

RESULTS

Thirty-three (66%) questionnaires were returned. Twenty-five (50%) questionnaire sets were successfully completed by both parties and employable for comparison. Sixty percent of the caregivers were within the 90% confidence interval of the patient's assessment for six or more of the eight parameters evaluated by the SF-36. Likewise, caregiver assessments for specific parameters were consistently congruent with patient evaluation, except for the parameters of bodily pain and general health, for which caregivers demonstrated a trend for overrating pain and underestimating general health. Caregivers of the same generation as the patient demonstrated significantly higher congruence (P = .007). Similarly, a trend for higher congruence was noted in patients with recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of the lay caregiver has increased in the era of greater outpatient rehabilitation. This pilot study indicates that QOL assessment by lay caregivers may be examined with existing instruments and highlights QOL parameters critical to both the head and neck surgery patient and his or her primary lay caregiver.

Quality of life and oral function following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Multiple oral complaints occur following radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer, but the frequency and severity of symptoms of dysfunction and discomfort are not well understood. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the quality of life, oral function, and oral symptoms following radiotherapy.

METHODS

A general quality of life survey (the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire QLQ-C30), with an added oral symptom and function scale was mailed to 100 patients more than 6 months following radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients responded. Difficulty chewing or eating was reported by 43% of respondents. Dry mouth was reported by 91.8%, change in taste by 75.4%, dysphagia by 63.1%, altered speech by 50.8%, difficulty with dentures by 48.5%, and increased tooth decay by 38.5% of dentate patients. Pain was common (58.4%) and interfered with daily activities in 30.8%. Mood complaints were reported by approximately half the patients. Interference of the physical condition social activities was reported by 60%. The frequency of oral side effects correlated with radiation treatment fields and dose.

CONCLUSION

Oral complications following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer are common and affect quality of life. Use of a general function scale such as the EORTC questionnaire with the addition of disease/site specific scales may provide useful data on outcome of therapy and upon the complications associated with therapy and impact upon the quality of life.

Effects of hemimandibulectomy on quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of life and functional status of patients who have undergone hemimandibulectomy based on the type of reconstructive procedure performed.

STUDY DESIGN

Survey, retrospective.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients who had undergone hemimandibulectomy and had similar defects were divided into two groups based on the reconstructive technique utilized. Eleven patients were placed in the soft tissue reconstruction group. Ten patients were placed in the mandible reconstruction group. All patients were assessed for: function, utilizing the Performance Status Scale, and quality of life, using a general cancer questionnaire (FACT-G) and a series of questions specific for head and neck cancer patients.

RESULTS

Mandible reconstruction produced a perceived better physical appearance (P = .02), better eating ability (P = .04), and a better overall quality of life (P = .002). The mandible reconstruction cohort consistently outscored the soft tissue cohort on all questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

Restoration of mandibular continuity after hemimandibulectomy leads to improved function and a superior quality of life in appropriately selected patients.

A comparison between the University of Washington Head and Neck Disease-Specific measure and the Medical Short Form 36, EORTC QOQ-C33 and EORTC Head and Neck 35

The University of Washington Head and Neck Disease-Specific questionnaire (UW-QOL) is potentially a suitable routine measure of outcome in head and neck cancer because it is quick and simple for patients to complete and is easy to process. The aim of this study was to compare the UW-QOL with three validated instruments in a group of patients having primary surgery for oral cancer. Between May and December 1995, 34 consecutive patients with previously untreated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent primary surgery. Patients self-completed the following questionnaires: UW-QOL, Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36), the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOQ-C33 and the EORTC Head and Neck (H&N35). Questionnaires were distributed at four time intervals: pre-operatively, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Patients were withdrawn if they developed recurrent disease. 29 patients agreed to participate in this prospective study and cross-sectional comparisons were made on baseline data and trends over time for longitudinal comparisons. This study emphasises the difficulties of one questionnaire to adequately evaluate quality of life. However, it would appear that the UW-QOL is a broad measure suitable for routine "low cost" assessment of disease-specific functional status.

Relationship between quality of life and depression in patients with head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in patients following major surgery for head and neck cancer.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using medical chart review, patient interview, and test administration.

METHOD

Fifty patients were evaluated 6 months to 6 years following surgery using one global HRQOL measure (The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]); three disease-specific measures of HRQOL (the HN module of the FACT [FACT-HNS], The University of Washington Quality of Life Scale [UWQOL], and The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer); and one measure of depression (The Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]).

RESULTS

The study population showed a high occurrence of depressive symptoms (22%). A negative correlation existed between the BDI and HRQOL as measured by the FACT-G (r = -0.49, P < .001) and the UWQOL (r = -0.44, P = .003). When somatic symptoms of depression were removed, the BDI remained correlated with HRQOL and was most highly correlated with the Emotional Well-Being (EWB) subscale of the FACT-G (r = -0.42, P = .003). There was no correlation between clinician judgments of EWB and any patient-rated measures of HRQOL or depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate an inverse relationship between patient-reported HRQOL and depression. The lack of correlation between physician and patient ratings of HRQOL and EWB stresses the importance of obtaining patient ratings in addition to traditional clinician ratings when assessing outcomes. Finally, the multidimensional construction of the FACT with its specific subscales may make it a useful clinical tool for assessing patient status and augmenting patient interviews.

Survival, function, and quality of life after total glossectomy

Advanced tongue cancer is associated with poor survival despite aggressive therapy. In an attempt at cure, many patients undergo total glossectomy, which significantly affects function and quality of life (QOL). This study was designed to determine the survival rate and QOL of patients who had undergone total glossectomy. A total of 54 patients underwent total glossectomy, with or without total laryngectomy, for advanced tongue cancer from 1970 to 1996. Patient outcomes were assessed for the following: 1. disease-free survival, 2. function, utilizing the Performance Status Scale (PSS), and 3. QOL, using two general cancer questionnaires (FACT-G and EORTC QLQ-C30) and a series of questions specific for head and neck cancer patients. Corrected actuarial survival was 51% and 41% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Functional assessment using the PSS demonstrated significant deficits in speech and deglutition. QOL questionnaires revealed problems with eating, speaking, socializing, and shoulder function. However, the overall responses demonstrated that these patients have adjusted to their deficits and have a good QOL. It was concluded that total glossectomy, with or without total laryngectomy, can result in meaningful survival and an adequate QOL can be achieved in selected patients.