Sex-related quality of life after total laryngectomy for cancer

ObjectivesAnalysis of the quality of sexual life after total laryngectomy (TL) for cancer.Material and methodsThe Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, ClinicalKey and Science Direct databases were searched using the keywords: “total laryngectomy, sexual function, sexual behavior, sexual complications, sexual dysfunction, sexuality, intimacy”. The abstracts of 69 articles were read by two of the authors and 24 articles were selected. The main endpoint was the impact of impairment of quality of sexual life after TL for cancer and the methods used to assess this. The secondary endpoints were the type of sexual impairment, associated variables and their treatment.ResultsThe study population consisted of 1511 TL patients aged 21 to 90 years, with a male/female sex ratio of 7.49. One of the 7 validated Likert scales was used in 79% of the articles to evaluate impairment of sexual quality of life. Impaired quality of sexual life was reported by 47% of patients on average (range, 5–90%). Erectile and ejaculatory function and ejaculatory behavior of male patients decreased after TL. Other impairments comprised decreases in libido, frequency of sexual intercourse and satisfaction. Tracheostomy, advanced disease stage, young age and associated depression were factors for impairment. In all, 23% of patients reported lack of postoperative support in this area.ConclusionThe quality of sexual life is severely impacted by TL for cancer. The present data are a source of information and should be taken into account before carrying out TL. A common information tool needs to be developed. There is patient demand for improved management of sexuality.     

Voice-related quality of life in patients after total and partial laryngectomy

Objective

To assess the voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) in patients after total and partial laryngectomy.

Materials and methods

96 patients treated for laryngeal cancer were enrolled in the study. The cohort of patients was divided into three groups depending on the surgical procedure carried out: total laryngectomy (TL), supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCL) and/or horizontal glottectomy (HG). The maximum phonation time (MPT) and syllable diadochokinesis, were used for the aerodynamic assessment; Yanagihara score was used for acoustic analysis of the sustained /a/ and the GRBAS scale was used for perceptual assessment. Each of the patients completed the VHI. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used to analyse the mean difference among the three groups of patients.

Results

A comparison with the values found between groups noted that the TL group showed significantly higher scores of G, R and Yanagihara score, while the HG group showed a significantly higher score of B. No differences were found in the aerodynamic and acoustic measures among the 3 groups. The mean ± standard deviations of VHI total score were 35.3 ± 24.5 for TL group, 30.1 ± 21.6 for SCL group, 35.8 ± 9.6 for HG group. No significant difference was found across the three groups.

Conclusions

V-RQOL seems to be similar in patients who underwent significantly different surgical procedures even if the voice characteristics were different. These findings need to be considered in patient's counselling together with other data on general quality of life after total and partial laryngectomy.     

Laryngeal preservation with supracricoid partial laryngectomy results in improved quality of life when compared with total laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES: Study 1: To assess the oncologic outcome following supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL). Study 2: To compare the quality of life (QOL) following SCPL to total laryngectomy (TL) with tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP). Study 3: To analyze whole organ TL sections to determine the percentage of lesions amenable to SCPL STUDY DESIGN: Study 1: A retrospective review of patients who underwent SCPL. Study 2: A non-randomized, prospective study using QOL instruments to compare patients who underwent either SCPL or TL Study 3: A retrospective histopathologic study of TL specimens assessed for the possibility of performing an SCPL. METHODS: Study 1: Twenty-five patients with carcinoma of the larynx underwent SCPL between June 1992 and June 1999. Various rates of oncologic outcome were calculated. Study 2: Thirty-one patients participated in the QOL assessment. This included the SF-36 general health status measure, the University of Michigan Head and Neck Quality of Life (HNQOL) instrument, and the University of Michigan Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) instrument. Study 3: Ninety surgical specimens were obtained and studied from the total laryngectomy cases in the Tucker Collection. Multiple sites were evaluated for the presence of carcinoma A computer program was written to classify whether the patient was amenable to SCPL. RESULTS: Study 1: The overall local control rate was 96% (24/25). The local control rate following SCPL with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) was 95% (20/21). The local control rate following SCPL with cricohyoidopexy (CHP) was 100% (4/4). Study 2: The SCPL had significantly higher domain scores than TL and TEP in the following categories for the SF-36: physical function, physical limitations, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional limitations, and physical health summary. The significantly higher domains for the SCPL when compared with the TL and TEP for the HNQOL were eating and pain. Finally, when voice-related QOL was assessed with the V-RQOL, the domains of physical functioning and the total score were significantly better with SCPL when compared with TL and TEP. Study 3: Forty of 90 (44%) laryngeal whole organ specimens were determined to be resectable by SCPL. In 16 (18%) specimens, the patients could have undergone SCPL with CHEP and in 24 (27%) specimens the patients could have undergone SCPL with CHP. Among the 40 (44%) specimens determined to be able to have undergone SCPL, 19 were glottic (1 T1, 15 T2, 3 T3) and 21 were supraglottic (9 T2, 12 T3). CONCLUSIONS: 1) A review of the literature and an analysis of the data in this study indicate that excellent local control may be expected following SCPL. 2) The QOL following SCPL, as measured by three validated QOL instruments, is superior to TL with TEP. 3) A histologic assessment of whole organ sections of TL specimens indicates that many patients who have been subjected to TL may have been candidates for SCPL. 4) If the indications and contraindications are rigorously adhered to, SCPLs are reasonable alternatives to TL in selected cases.     

安徽省喉全切除术后生活质量及喉功能康复现状评估

目的 评估安徽省喉全切除术后患者的生活质量,喉功能康复情况以及相关的影响因素,以提出相应治疗策略.方法 采用生活质量综合评定问卷和喉全切除后喉功能康复情况调查表,对我省58例行喉全切除术患者和40位健康人的生活质量及喉功能情况进行回顾性调查分析并评分.结集喉全切除术后患者的生活质量,在躯体、心理、社会功能方面显著差于健...     

Investigating quality of life and coping resources after laryngectomy

Surgical procedures and in particular laryngectomy can become a life-saving treatment for patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, but can result in permanent damage. Clinical observation suggests that patients vary considerably in their ways of dealing with this new situation and in their ability to cope. The aim of our interdisciplinary group was to investigate the quality of life of laryngectomy patients and learn about their perceptions, situation and coping mechanisms. The development of an appropriate study design and a measurement strategy is presented. We investigated 29 laryngectomized patients who had joined the local self-help group. The patients were free from tumour disease and were mostly married with children, retired from work and had not graduated from high school. Assessment of the quality of life was performed with the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer questionnaires QLQ-C30 and H+N35 and additional open questions. Analysis of the acquired data showed that family support was judged most important for overcoming the problems of disease and treatment. Deficits in this area were highly correlated with a low overall quality of life. Financial problems resulted because of the high percentage of retirement before or after therapy. We suggest that perioperative support taking these facts into consideration can result in an improved coping process. Further prospective studies are needed to reveal the effect of such measures. Received: 28 May 2001 / Accepted: 6 June 2001     

Quality of life correlates after surgery for laryngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To assess the correlation of operation mode, postoperative radiotherapy, and disease stage factors with the health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures after surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Reanalysis of data of two multi-institutional cross-sectional studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We interviewed 218 laryngectomees and 153 partial laryngectomy patients in and near Leipzig, Germany, in two cross-sectional studies, using the general and the head- and neck-specific quality of life questionnaires of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35). Multifactorial univariate and multivariate models were calculated, with laryngectomy vs. partial laryngectomy, radiotherapy (irradiated or not), and disease stage (International Union Against Cancer [UICC] stages I/II vs. III/IV) as influencing factors and the HRQL scales and items as dependent variables. Analyses were adjusted for the patient's age and the time elapsed since the operation. RESULTS: Laryngectomees were more affected in their sense of smell (P < or = .000). Among irradiated patients, functioning levels and many symptom scales showed worse results (P < or = .05). Both operation mode and postoperative radiotherapy were independently associated with head- and neck-specific HRQL in multivariate analysis. Differences between disease stage groups, however, were not significant. Patient's age was an influencing factor on HRQL, but time since operation was not. CONCLUSIONS:: Postoperative radiotherapy seems to have the greatest impact on patients' HRQL independent of other clinical factors following surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. Aftercare of irradiated laryngeal carcinoma patients should focus more on the patient's quality of life.     

Speech restoration with tracheoesophageal prosthesis after total laryngectomy: An observational study of vocal results,complications and quality of life

ObjectivesTo study voice prosthesis survival, complications, efficacy and impact on quality of life.MethodsA single-center observational study was performed in patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx by total (pharyngo)-laryngectomy between 2010 and 2015. Study data comprised: maximum phonation time (sec), number of and reasons for prosthesis exchanges (leakage through or around the prosthesis, expulsion or inclusion of the prosthesis), plus 2 quality of life questionnaires (QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35) and the Voice Handicap Inventory (VHI 30).ResultsForty-nine patients were included. The most common causes of prosthesis exchange were leakage through (73.2%) or around the prosthesis (18.5%). The median time between exchanges was 4 months. Global quality of life status on the QLQ-C30 was 63.5. Mean maximum phonation time was 7.4 sec. Mean VHI was 46/120; 10 patients had a mild voice handicap, 12 moderate and 10 severe. No relation emerged between the number of prosthesis exchanges per year and quality of life. Voice handicap significantly decreased quality of life, with QLQ-C30 72.3 for the 22 patients with mild to moderate voice handicap and 44.2 for the 10 patients with severe voice handicap (P = 0.001).ConclusionVoice restoration by tracheoesophageal prosthesis after total (pharyngo)-laryngectomy is a reliable technique that decreases voice handicap and, despite potentially serious complications, has little negative impact on quality of life.     

喉切除术后患者生存质量的调查及分析

目的　探讨自行制定喉切除术后患者生存质量量表应用于患者生存质量研究的可行性。方法　按规范制定喉切除术后患者生存质量量表 ;对 36例喉部分切除和 4 5例喉全切除的患者进行上述量表问卷调查 ,考核该量表的信度和效度 ;分析喉切除术后患者生存质量及其影响因素。结果　制定的喉切除术后患者生存质量量表由 2 2个指标组成 ,包含 6个方面。量表的信度较好 ,准则关联效度及内容效度有效 ;其分半信度和克朗巴赫系数分别为 0 84 2和 0 889。喉部分切除组与喉全切除组患者生存质量总分的差异有统计学意义 (P <0 0 0 1) ,前者生存质量高于后者 ;其中身体机能、喉功能、心理状态、独立生活能力方面的差异亦有统计学意义 (P值分别 <0 0 0 1、<0 0 0 1、<0 0 1、<0 0 5 )。术式、肿瘤分期、手术并发症、合并症、家庭收入、发音方式及是否佩戴全喉套管是喉切除术后患者生存质量的影响因素。结论　该研究制定的生存质量量表有较好的信度及效度 ,其内容具有喉切除术的专业特性 ,可应用于喉切除术后患者生存质量的调查研究。     

Long-term quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer

Objectives: To describe prospectively the long‐term changes of quality of life and mood in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: One hundred seven patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Questionnaire, the EORTC Head and Neck Cancer Module, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale before treatment, and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months later. Results: There was limited deterioration of physical and role functioning and of many head and neck symptoms at 6 months, with improvement thereafter. After 36 months only physical functioning, taste/smell, dry mouth, and sticky saliva were significantly worse, compared with baseline. Female sex, higher cancer stage, and combination treatment were associated with more symptoms and worse functioning. Despite physical deterioration, there was a gradual improvement of depressive symptomatology and global quality of life. Conclusion: Treatment for head and neck cancer results in short‐term morbidity, most of which resolves within 1 year. Despite an initially high level of depressive symptomatology, there is gradual improvement of psychological functioning and global quality of life over the course of 3 years. In this prospective study, the impact of the disease and its treatment in long‐term survivors seems to be less severe than it is often assumed to be.     

探讨同期放化疗对儿童青少年鼻咽癌患者生活质量的影响

目的 探讨同期放化疗对儿童青少年鼻咽癌患者生活质量(QOL)的影响及其不良反应。 方法 通过儿童生存质量普适性核心量表(Peds QL^TM4.0)和儿童生存质量癌症模块量表(Peds QL^TM3.0)对放化疗治疗的21例儿童青少年鼻咽癌患者进行调查与评估,并对患儿治疗期间的不良反应进行统计分析。 结果 一定周期的放化疗后,患儿的QOL较治疗前均呈下降趋势,Peds QL^TM4.0中,患儿的生理功能、情感功能、学校功能3个维度总分均下降(P<0.01),以学校功能影响较为显著,而Peds QL^TM3.0中,疼痛、恶心、操作焦虑、认知、交流5 个方面总分均下降,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。放化疗的不良反应主要集中在皮肤损害、口腔黏膜损害、口干、恶心呕吐、白细胞下降等方面。 结论 儿童自我报告的生活质量应受到更多关注,儿童青少年鼻咽癌患者因放化疗而导致的不良反应,可显著影响其生活质量,对不良反应可采取相应措施积极预防。     

Quality of life after treatment for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVES: To compare health-related quality of life measures after treatment for advanced (stages III and IV) laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and patient response to Health Status Questionnaire-12 (HSQ-12). METHODS: Our study included 54 patients identified from the Tumor Registry of the University of Louisville Brown Cancer Center who were diagnosed and treated between 1995 and 2000. Demographics, tumor data, and treatment information were obtained from the Tumor Registry database. Questionnaires were mailed to all patients and included telephone follow-up. Comparative data and responses were analyzed for the 24 patients who responded to the survey. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT). Six patients underwent surgery with postoperative radiation therapy (SRT). The remaining three patients were treated with radiation therapy but were not used in this analysis. The average follow-up was 35 months after treatment. The CRT and SRT groups were statistically similar regarding age, sex, duration of follow-up, tumor grade, and tumor stage. Laryngeal primary tumors were more common in the SRT group than in the CRT group (P =.005). Eight domains were assessed by the HSQ-12: physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, health perception, energy/fatigue, social functioning, role-mental, and mental health. No statistical differences were found between the CRT and SRT groups, except for role limitations attributable to physical health (P =.007). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that only one of eight domains differs significantly between treatment groups when using the HSQ-12. Two-year survival end-point analysis of global health assessment may represent a simplified and meaningful way to compare treatment modalities in patients with advanced-stage head and neck cancer.     

Child behavior and quality of life before and after tonsillotomy versus tonsillectomy

Objectives

Compare two techniques for pediatric tonsil surgery with respect to postoperative pain and morbidity and changes in sleep behavior, health related quality of life (HRQL) and benefits due to surgery.

Methods

67 children (4.5-5.5 years) with tonsillar hypertrophy and obstructive sleep-disordered breathing with or without recurrent tonsillitis were randomized to either regular tonsillectomy (TE) (n = 32) or intracapsular tonsillectomy/tonsillotomy (TT) (n = 35) with Radiofrequency surgical technique (ellman Int.). Before TT/TE, the parents completed a validated Quality of Life survey of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, the OSA-18 (Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18) and a standardized assessment of their children's behavior with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Six months after surgery, the parents repeated these measurements, and assessed the health related benefits of the surgery using the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (GCBI).

Results

In the TT group, the children recorded less pain from the first day after surgery onwards, used fewer doses of painkillers and were pain-free 3 days earlier than the children in the TE group. Six months after surgery, there were no significant difference between TT and TE with regard to snoring and ENT-infections.The differences in the total scores and in all the individual domains between the initial OSA-18 and post-surgery scores were all significant (P < 0.0001). The improvement in the total problem score measured with CBCL was also significant (P < 0.01) and there was no difference between the TT and TE children. The improvements in all subscores of the GCBI indicated a significant health benefit of both TT and TE.

Conclusions

TT with RF-surgery causes less pain and postoperative morbidity than regular TE and has an equal effect on snoring and recurrent infections.Pre-school children with tonsillar hypertrophy and obstructive sleep-disordered breathing all show an impact on HRQL and behavior before surgery and improve dramatically just as much after TT as after TE. Therefore TT would be considered for treatment of small children.     

鼻咽癌放疗后口干燥症及其对生活质量的影响

目的观察鼻咽癌患者放疗后口干燥症的情况及其对日常生活的影响,探讨影响口干燥症的相关因素,以期提高鼻咽癌患者的生活质量。方法选择放疗后满1年复查的鼻咽癌患者79例,复查时进行面对面访谈方式的口干问卷调查,根据调查结果分析口干燥症的严重程度及其对生活质量的影响。结果全组口干燥症的发生率为100%,中重度发生率为74.7%,其中13.9%的患者夜晚经常喝水,74.7%的患者吃饭时需饮水,59.5%的患者感到说话困难,91.1%的患者认为日常生活明显受影响。结论鼻咽癌放疗后口干燥症的发生率较高,因此需要一种安全、简便、廉价、有效的方法治疗放疗后口干燥症,以提高患者的生活质量。     

Compliance,quality of life and quantitative voice quality aspects of hands-free speech

Conclusions

With the use of a new automatic stoma valve (ASV) it appears possible to rehabilitate patients who have previously been unsuccessful in acquiring hands-free speech. As well as making daily ASV use possible for an additional group of patients, this new device was also appreciated by many patients as an additional rehabilitation tool for specific occasions. Despite statistically significant improvements in aspects of voice and breathing using this novel ASV, improvement of peristomal adhesion is probably the main factor needed to further increase success rates. Nevertheless, our results show that it makes sense to keep trying to achieve hands-free speech, even if previous attempts have failed.

Objective

To make a long-term (6 months) assessment of compliance and aspects of voice, breathing and quality of life using a new ASV: the Provox FreeHands heat and moisture exchanger (HME).

Material and methods

This was a prospective clinical multicentre trial in 79 laryngectomized patients (8 regular ASV users, 58 previously unsuccessful users and 13 new users). Data were collected at baseline and after 1 and 6 months by means of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaires and specific structured questionnaires concerning compliance, skin adhesion, voicing and pulmonary aspects. An objective assessment of voice parameters (maximum phonation time, maximum phonation time while counting, dynamic loudness range and number of pauses in a standard read-aloud text) was made for comparison of different stoma occlusion methods (digital occlusion via an HME and two different ASVs). A subjective assessment of overall voice quality was made.

Results

After 6 months, 19% of patients used the new ASV on a daily basis (mean 5?h/day), while 57% used it on an irregular basis as an additional rehabilitation tool for special occasions. Two-thirds of the study group indicated that they would continue to use the new ASV after the study period. With respect to the objective parameters, statistically significantly better maximum phonation times and dynamic loudness ranges were observed with the new ASV compared to the Blom–Singer ASV. However, the best results for all the objective parameters were obtained with digital occlusion via the Provox HME.     

Comparing postoperative quality of life in children after microdebrider intracapsular tonsillotomy and tonsillectomy

Objective

To evaluate postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing microdebrider intracapsular tonsillotomy and adenoidectomy (PITA) in comparison with traditional adenotonsillectomy (AT) and to assess PITA's efficacy in solving upper-airway obstructive symptoms.

Methods

29 children with adenotonsillar hyperplasia referred for AT were included. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (underwent PITA) included 14 children (age 5.1 ± 1.8 years) affected by night-time airway obstruction without a relevant history of recurrent tonsillitis; Group 2 (underwent AT) included 15 children (age 5.2 ± 1.7 years) with a history of upper-airway obstruction during sleep and recurrent acute tonsillitis. Outcomes measures included the number of administered pain medications, time before returning to a full diet, Obstructive Sleep Apnea survey (OSA-18), parent's postoperative pain measure questionnaire (PPPM) and Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS).

Results

Postoperative pain was significantly lower in the PITA group, as demonstrated by PPPM and WBFPRS scores and by a lower number of pain medications used. PITA group also resumed a regular diet earlier (P < 0.001). OSA-18 scores proved that both PITA and AT were equally effective in curing upper-airway obstructive symptoms.

Conclusion

PITA reduces post-tonsil ablation morbidity and can be a valid alternative to AT for treating upper-airway obstruction due to adenotonsillar hyperplasia.