Physical and psychosocial correlates of head and neck cancer: an update of the literature and challenges for the future (1996-2003)

Keypoints • An update of the literature on physical and psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer, with special emphasis on effects of treatment, patient‐related factors and psychosocial intervention on quality of life (QoL). • QoL deteriorates during and directly after treatment and returns only...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical otolaryngology 2005-08, Vol.30 (4), p.303-319
Main Authors: Ledeboer, Q.C.P., van der Velden, L.-A., de Boer, M.F., Feenstra, L., Pruyn, J.F.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Head and Neck Neoplasms - mortality
Head and Neck Neoplasms - physiopathology
Head and Neck Neoplasms - psychology
Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy
Humans
Palliative Care
Patient Education as Topic
Patient Satisfaction
Prognosis
Quality of Life
Survival Rate
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Summary:Keypoints • An update of the literature on physical and psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer, with special emphasis on effects of treatment, patient‐related factors and psychosocial intervention on quality of life (QoL). • QoL deteriorates during and directly after treatment and returns only slowly to pre‐treatment values. • Organ preservation, gender and coping‐strategies are factors related to QoL after treatment. • As prognosis and survival were found to be comparable under different treatment regimes, we noticed a gradual shift in therapy towards organ preservation. • Systematic care, using specific instruments is important for improving the QoL. • We feel that more attention should be given to improving support, in order to optimize the QoL of patients during the palliative stage.
ISSN:1749-4478
1749-4486
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2273.2005.01035.x