TY - JOUR
T1 - Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in long-term oral and oropharyngeal cancer survivors and the perceived need for supportive care
AU - Oskam, Inge M.
AU - Verdonck-De Leeuw, Irma M.
AU - Aaronson, Neil K.
AU - Witte, Birgit I.
AU - De Bree, Remco
AU - Doornaert, Patricia
AU - Langendijk, Johannes A.
AU - René Leemans, C.
PY - 2013/5/1
Y1 - 2013/5/1
N2 - Purpose: To evaluate long-term changes in health related quality of life (HRQOL) in oral/oropharyngeal cancer survivors and their need for and use of supportive care. Methods: Between 1999 and 2001, 80 advanced oral or oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with free-flap reconstruction and postoperative radiotherapy were included in a prospective study of whom 27 patients were long-term survivors (mean 9.2 years, range 8-11 years). The HRQOL of 26 patients (response rate 96%) was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires at four points in time: pretreatment (baseline), and at 6 months, 12 months (short term) and 8-11 years (long-term) follow up. A study specific questionnaire was developed to evaluate the need for and use of supportive care (allied health services, peer contact, psychosocial care, and complementary care) and was completed at the period of treatment and at long-term follow up. Results: A number of HRQOL domains worsened significantly (p < 0.01) in the long-term: emotional functioning, social functioning, swallowing, speech, taste/smell, dry mouth, sticky saliva and coughing assessed by the mixed effects statistical model. At time of treatment, the need for supportive care was the highest for a dental hygienist (77%), a physical therapist (73%), a speech therapist (42%), a dietician (38%), and a special diet (62%). At long-term follow up, the need for supportive care was limited to a dental hygienist (46%) and a physical therapist (23%). Only small differences were observed between the perceived need for and actual use of supportive care. Conclusion: A range of HRQOL domains in head and neck cancer survivors were deteriorated in the long-term compared to baseline and to the first year after treatment. At time of treatment and less frequently at long-term follow up, patients reported needing and using a variety of supportive care services.
AB - Purpose: To evaluate long-term changes in health related quality of life (HRQOL) in oral/oropharyngeal cancer survivors and their need for and use of supportive care. Methods: Between 1999 and 2001, 80 advanced oral or oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with free-flap reconstruction and postoperative radiotherapy were included in a prospective study of whom 27 patients were long-term survivors (mean 9.2 years, range 8-11 years). The HRQOL of 26 patients (response rate 96%) was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires at four points in time: pretreatment (baseline), and at 6 months, 12 months (short term) and 8-11 years (long-term) follow up. A study specific questionnaire was developed to evaluate the need for and use of supportive care (allied health services, peer contact, psychosocial care, and complementary care) and was completed at the period of treatment and at long-term follow up. Results: A number of HRQOL domains worsened significantly (p < 0.01) in the long-term: emotional functioning, social functioning, swallowing, speech, taste/smell, dry mouth, sticky saliva and coughing assessed by the mixed effects statistical model. At time of treatment, the need for supportive care was the highest for a dental hygienist (77%), a physical therapist (73%), a speech therapist (42%), a dietician (38%), and a special diet (62%). At long-term follow up, the need for supportive care was limited to a dental hygienist (46%) and a physical therapist (23%). Only small differences were observed between the perceived need for and actual use of supportive care. Conclusion: A range of HRQOL domains in head and neck cancer survivors were deteriorated in the long-term compared to baseline and to the first year after treatment. At time of treatment and less frequently at long-term follow up, patients reported needing and using a variety of supportive care services.
KW - Chemoradiation
KW - Chemotherapy
KW - Head and neck cancer
KW - Health related quality of life
KW - Long-term effects
KW - Oral function
KW - Psychosocial care
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Speech
KW - Supportive care
KW - Surgery
KW - Swallowing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875730883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2012.12.005
DO - 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2012.12.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 23318122
AN - SCOPUS:84875730883
SN - 1368-8375
VL - 49
SP - 443
EP - 448
JO - Oral Oncology
JF - Oral Oncology
IS - 5
ER -