Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer: prevalence and impact on daily functioning

Martine E Lokker; Marinella P J Offerman; Lilly-Ann van der Velden; Maarten F de Boer; Jean F A Pruyn; Saskia C C M Teunissen

doi:10.1002/hed.23053

Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer: prevalence and impact on daily functioning

Martine E Lokker
, Marinella P J Offerman
, Lilly-Ann van der Velden
, Maarten F de Boer
, Jean F A Pruyn
, Saskia C C M Teunissen

Divison of Internal Medicine and Dermatology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is lack of research on symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase. The aim of this study was to explore symptom prevalence and the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning in patients with incurable head and neck cancer. Also, discrepancies between patients and family caregivers are described.

METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect data about symptom prevalence (n = 124) and symptom impact (n = 24).

RESULTS: We discovered that the symptoms with a high prevalence were fatigue, pain, weakness, trouble with short walks outside, and dysphagia. The symptoms with the greatest impact on daily functioning were dyspnea, voice changes, trouble with short walks outside, anger, and weakness.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incurable head and neck cancer experience a great number of different symptoms. Focus on these symptoms by health care professionals could further optimize symptom management. In future research, we recommend further validation of the used questionnaires.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	868-76
Number of pages	9
Journal	Head & neck
Volume	35
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.23053
Publication status	Published - Jun 2013

Keywords

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anger
Anxiety
Caregivers
Cross-Sectional Studies
Deglutition Disorders
Fatigue
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Weakness
Pain
Prospective Studies
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Surveys and Questionnaires
Terminally Ill
Voice Disorders
Walking
Journal Article

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10.1002/hed.23053

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title = "Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer: prevalence and impact on daily functioning",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: There is lack of research on symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase. The aim of this study was to explore symptom prevalence and the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning in patients with incurable head and neck cancer. Also, discrepancies between patients and family caregivers are described.METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect data about symptom prevalence (n = 124) and symptom impact (n = 24).RESULTS: We discovered that the symptoms with a high prevalence were fatigue, pain, weakness, trouble with short walks outside, and dysphagia. The symptoms with the greatest impact on daily functioning were dyspnea, voice changes, trouble with short walks outside, anger, and weakness.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incurable head and neck cancer experience a great number of different symptoms. Focus on these symptoms by health care professionals could further optimize symptom management. In future research, we recommend further validation of the used questionnaires.",

keywords = "Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anger, Anxiety, Caregivers, Cross-Sectional Studies, Deglutition Disorders, Fatigue, Female, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Muscle Weakness, Pain, Prospective Studies, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, Terminally Ill, Voice Disorders, Walking, Journal Article",

author = "Lokker, \{Martine E\} and Offerman, \{Marinella P J\} and \{van der Velden\}, Lilly-Ann and \{de Boer\}, \{Maarten F\} and Pruyn, \{Jean F A\} and Teunissen, \{Saskia C C M\}",

note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.",

year = "2013",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1002/hed.23053",

language = "English",

volume = "35",

pages = "868--76",

journal = "Head \& neck",

issn = "1043-3074",

publisher = "John Wiley \& Sons Inc.",

number = "6",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer

T2 - prevalence and impact on daily functioning

AU - Lokker, Martine E

AU - Offerman, Marinella P J

AU - van der Velden, Lilly-Ann

AU - de Boer, Maarten F

AU - Pruyn, Jean F A

AU - Teunissen, Saskia C C M

PY - 2013/6

Y1 - 2013/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: There is lack of research on symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase. The aim of this study was to explore symptom prevalence and the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning in patients with incurable head and neck cancer. Also, discrepancies between patients and family caregivers are described.METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect data about symptom prevalence (n = 124) and symptom impact (n = 24).RESULTS: We discovered that the symptoms with a high prevalence were fatigue, pain, weakness, trouble with short walks outside, and dysphagia. The symptoms with the greatest impact on daily functioning were dyspnea, voice changes, trouble with short walks outside, anger, and weakness.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incurable head and neck cancer experience a great number of different symptoms. Focus on these symptoms by health care professionals could further optimize symptom management. In future research, we recommend further validation of the used questionnaires.

AB - BACKGROUND: There is lack of research on symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer in the palliative phase. The aim of this study was to explore symptom prevalence and the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning in patients with incurable head and neck cancer. Also, discrepancies between patients and family caregivers are described.METHODS: Questionnaires were used to collect data about symptom prevalence (n = 124) and symptom impact (n = 24).RESULTS: We discovered that the symptoms with a high prevalence were fatigue, pain, weakness, trouble with short walks outside, and dysphagia. The symptoms with the greatest impact on daily functioning were dyspnea, voice changes, trouble with short walks outside, anger, and weakness.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incurable head and neck cancer experience a great number of different symptoms. Focus on these symptoms by health care professionals could further optimize symptom management. In future research, we recommend further validation of the used questionnaires.

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KW - Head and Neck Neoplasms

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KW - Middle Aged

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KW - Pain

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KW - Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

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KW - Voice Disorders

KW - Walking

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1002/hed.23053

DO - 10.1002/hed.23053

M3 - Article

C2 - 22714991

SN - 1043-3074

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EP - 876

JO - Head & neck

JF - Head & neck

IS - 6

ER -

Symptoms of patients with incurable head and neck cancer: prevalence and impact on daily functioning

Abstract

Keywords

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