Although a head and neck cancer prognosis does not have a promising long-term prognosis, approximately 50% will survive at least 5‑years, depending on the type of cancer. Evidence on the quality of life among these long-term survivors is sparse.
Methods
A PubMed search was conducted to find articles that reported quality of life outcomes for head and neck cancer patients surviving 5‑years and longer.
Results
8 studies from a mix of countries using 4 different measurement tools were identified. All but two had very small patient numbers. Results indicate that survivors have especially difficulties with sleeping, pain, fatigue, dyspnoea, swallowing and chewing; functional scores were sometimes lower (worse) than results from general populations, but also the same in one case.
Conclusions
A clear picture of the quality of life among this unique patient group is still lacking. There is evidence that some patients have difficulty with swallowing and dry mouth, as well as problems with sleep, fatigue, pain and dyspnoea. A study to include large numbers of these unique patient group is warranted.
Bitte loggen Sie sich ein, um Zugang zu diesem Inhalt zu erhalten
Aaronson NK, Ahmedzai S, Bergman B et al (1993) The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: a quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology. J Natl Cancer Inst 85:365–376
CrossRef
2.
Ackerstaff AH, Hilgers FJ, Aaronson NK et al (1994) Communication, functional disorders and lifestyle changes after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol 19:295–300
CrossRef
3.
Airoldi M, Garzaro M, Raimondo L et al (2011) Functional and psychological evaluation after flap reconstruction plus radiotherapy in oral cancer. Head Neck 33:458–468
CrossRef
4.
Anonymous (2017) Krebs in Deutschland für 2013/2014 [Cancer in Germany for 2013/2014]. In: Robert Koch Institute, p 152
5.
Arrifin A, Heidari E, Burke M et al (2018) The effect of radiotherapy for treatment of head and neck cancer on oral flora and saliva. Oral Health Prev Dent 16:425–429
PubMed
6.
Bjordal K, De Graeff A, Fayers PM et al (2000) A 12 country field study of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) and the head and neck cancer specific module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) in head and neck patients. EORTC Quality of Life Group. Eur J Cancer 36:1796–1807
CrossRef
7.
Bjordal K, Kaasa S, Mastekaasa A (1994) Quality of life in patients treated for head and neck cancer: a follow-up study 7 to 11 years after radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 28:847–856
CrossRef
8.
Cocks K, King MT, Velikova G et al (2011) Evidence-based guidelines for determination of sample size and interpretation of the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. J Clin Oncol 29:89–96
CrossRef
9.
Dong Y, Ridge JA, Li T et al (2017) Long-term toxicities in 10-year survivors of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 71:122–128
CrossRef
10.
Duke RL, Campbell BH, Indresano AT et al (2005) Dental status and quality of life in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. Laryngoscope 115:678–683
CrossRef
11.
Hammerlid E, Adnan A, Silander E (2017) Population-based reference values for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck module. Head Neck 39:2036–2047
CrossRef
12.
Hassan SJ, Weymuller EA Jr. (1993) Assessment of quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Head Neck 15:485–496
CrossRef
13.
Herce Lopez J, Rollon Mayordomo A, Lozano Rosado R et al (2009) Quality of life in long-term oral cancer survivors: a comparison with Spanish general population norms. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67:1607–1614
CrossRef
14.
Huguenin PU, Taussky D, Moe K et al (1999) Quality of life in patients cured from a carcinoma of the head and neck by radiotherapy: the importance of the target volume. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 45:47–52
CrossRef
15.
Kraaijenga SA, Van Der Molen L, Jacobi I et al (2015) Prospective clinical study on long-term swallowing function and voice quality in advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and preventive swallowing exercises. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 272:3521–3531
CrossRef
16.
Magne N, Marcy PY, Chamorey E et al (2001) Concomitant twice-a-day radiotherapy and chemotherapy in unresectable head and neck cancer patients: A long-term quality of life analysis. Head Neck 23:678–682
CrossRef
17.
Oskam IM, Verdonck-De Leeuw IM, Aaronson NK et al (2013) Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in long-term oral and oropharyngeal cancer survivors and the perceived need for supportive care. Oral Oncol 49:443–448
CrossRef
18.
Rogers SN, Hannah L, Lowe D et al (1999) Quality of life 5–10 years after primary surgery for oral and oro-pharyngeal cancer. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 27:187–191
CrossRef
19.
Rogers SN, O’Donnell JP, Williams-Hewitt S et al (2006) Health-related quality of life measured by the UW-QoL—reference values from a general dental practice. Oral Oncol 42:281–287
CrossRef
20.
Rogers SN, Lowe D (2010) The University of Washington Quality of Life Scale. In: Preedy VR, Watson RR (eds) Handbook of disease burdens and quality of life measures. Springer, New York
21.
Tsai WL, Huang TL, Liao KC et al (2014) Impact of late toxicities on quality of life for survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. BMC Cancer 14:856
CrossRef
22.
Weymuller EA Bhama PK (2007) Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 7:1175–1178
CrossRef
23.
Yan YB, Meng L, Liu ZQ et al (2017) Quality of life in long-term oral cancer survivors: an 8‑year prospective study in China. Oral Med 123:67–75
Über diesen Artikel
Titel
Long-term quality of life in head and neck cancer patients A systematic review
Autoren:
Katherine Taylor Susanne Singer
Publikationsdatum
13.02.2019
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00761-019-0527-z
Verlag
Springer Medizin
Zeitschrift
Der Onkologe
Print ISSN: 0947-8965
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-0415