Quality of life after treatment of laryngeal carcinoma: a single centre cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Laryngeal cancer treatment inherently affects life's most basic functions and significantly affects quality of life (QOL). We aimed to identify which aspects of QOL and which patients are most affected by the various treatment options. METHODS The University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire was administered to all patients with laryngeal cancer treated at a single institution over a seven-year period (2003–2010). RESULTS In total, 41 patients responded. All had been treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Questionnaires were completed at a median of 18.5 months after treatment. The overall quality of life was 81.1/100 as assessed by the UW-QOL scale, with only 4.9% reporting ‘poor’ or worse QOL. Neither patient age nor time after treatment significantly affected any aspect of QOL. Patients undergoing primary radiotherapy reported the best QOL. Those undergoing chemoradiotherapy or combined surgical treatment and chemoradiotherapy reported the worst QOL, particularly in terms of social eating, taste and saliva production. Patients with a T stage ≥2 and those with nodal metastases reported a significantly worse QOL. CONCLUSIONS Overall, QOL in our patients was good. This study highlights the aspects of QOL most affected by various treatments for laryngeal cancer and identifies areas in which therapeutic intervention may be focused. It also provides information to guide clinicians when assisting patients to make informed decisions regarding treatment of their head and neck cancer.