Quality of life for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer after different therapeutic modalities.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) and transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) have become therapeutic selections for organ preservation in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

METHODS:

Our cross-sectional, observational study assesses quality of life (QOL) in patients with hypopharyngeal cancers receiving TLM plus radiotherapy (RT) compared with those treated with CCRT only or radical open surgery (nearly all of whom also received RT or CCRT). QOL was assessed at least 6 months posttreatment.

RESULTS:

The study included 87 patients. Patients receiving open surgery reported significantly more sensory and speech disturbances than the others and more dental problems than the TLM group; the CCRT group experienced more xerostomia than the others, more weight loss, and dysphagia than the open surgery group; TLM patients experience fewer difficulties in emotional and social functioning, financial impact, and cough.

CONCLUSION:

TLM may provide comparable, if not better, QOL for patients relative to the other therapeutic regimens for selective advanced cases of hypopharyngeal cancer.

• Authors: Tsung-Lun Lee, Ling-Wei Wang, Peter Mu-Hsin Chang, Pen-Yuan Chu
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 35 Issue 2 Pg. 280-5 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1097-0347 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22367787 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics

• Adaptation, Physiological
• Adaptation, Psychological
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (psychology, radiotherapy, surgery, therapy)
• Chemoradiotherapy (methods, psychology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms (psychology, radiotherapy, surgery, therapy)
• Laser Therapy (methods, psychology)
• Male
• Microsurgery (methods, psychology)
• Middle Aged
• Quality of Life
• Risk Assessment
• Sickness Impact Profile
• Treatment Outcome