The impact of head and neck cancer and facial disfigurement on the quality of life of patients and their partners

Abstract

Background: Psychological and physical stresses from head and neck cancer can be substantial for patients and partners. There is minimal research exploring treatment impact, particularly facial disfigurement after surgery.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight surgery and radiotherapy/brachytherapy/chemoradiation patients and 25 of their partners were compared with 23 radiotherapy/brachytherapy patients and 19 partners. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Psychosocial Adaptation to Illness Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality Of Life Scale, including the Head and Neck Cancer module. The Dropkin Disfigurement and Dysfunction scale classified surgical impairment.

Results: Partners reported greater distress than patients on some scales. Patients did not have a lower quality of life compared with normal populations and other cancer patients. However, on the EORTC they did and were comparable to a normed sample of head and neck cancer patients. Treatment modality was not predictive of psychological vulnerability.

Discussion: Head and neck cancer patients do not necessarily experience poor quality of life. The disease can have a significant impact on partners.