Quality of life during the first year after partial laryngectomy: Longitudinal study

Abstract

Background: This prospective study was conducted to assess changes in quality of life (QOL) of patients who undergo a partial laryngectomy.

Methods: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires Core and Head and Neck (EORTC-QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35) were used preprocedure (n = 218), 1 week (n = 159), 3 months (n = 122), and 1 year after partial laryngectomy (n = 88). Changes over time were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Holm-Bonferroni method, and interpreted regarding clinical relevance.

Results: Most subscales worsened 1 week postprocedure, but many recovered to baseline level after 1 year. Dyspnea and cognitive functioning deteriorated over time, with worst scores recorded after 1 year. Financial difficulties and fatigue increased after surgery and maintained that level throughout the follow-up period; sticky saliva remained worse than at baseline, despite some improvements over time.

Conclusion: The discovered limitations of QOL should be observed more closely during follow-up treatment, and patients should be informed about these potential effects before partial laryngectomy.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; laryngeal cancer; longitudinal; partial laryngectomy; quality of life.