PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent literature on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. RECENT FINDINGS: HRQOL is an important part of well designed clinical trials. HRQOL seems to be an independent predictor of survival, but this association may be influenced by various cancer-related, personal, biological, psychobehavioural, physical, lifestyle-related, and social factors. Less is known about the course of HRQOL over time and about the same above-mentioned possible factors associated with (change in) HRQOL of HNC patients. Symptom management and psychosocial care may be beneficial for HNC patients to improve HRQOL, but more randomized controlled trials are needed. Studies on HRQOL in HNC are most often based on cross-sectional designs. The variability in the outcome measures hampers the generalizability of the results of these studies. Information on HRQOL of caregivers is scarce. SUMMARY: Better information on all aspects of the course of HRQOL from diagnosis and treatment to long-term survivorship or death is highly needed in both patients and their caregivers, enabling reliable and valid predictive modelling. More evidence of efficacy of (new) treatment options, symptom management, and psychosocial care is needed, also in the context of increasing long-term survival and growing attention for cancer survivorship.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent literature on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. RECENT FINDINGS: HRQOL is an important part of well designed clinical trials. HRQOL seems to be an independent predictor of survival, but this association may be influenced by various cancer-related, personal, biological, psychobehavioural, physical, lifestyle-related, and social factors. Less is known about the course of HRQOL over time and about the same above-mentioned possible factors associated with (change in) HRQOL of HNC patients. Symptom management and psychosocial care may be beneficial for HNC patients to improve HRQOL, but more randomized controlled trials are needed. Studies on HRQOL in HNC are most often based on cross-sectional designs. The variability in the outcome measures hampers the generalizability of the results of these studies. Information on HRQOL of caregivers is scarce. SUMMARY: Better information on all aspects of the course of HRQOL from diagnosis and treatment to long-term survivorship or death is highly needed in both patients and their caregivers, enabling reliable and valid predictive modelling. More evidence of efficacy of (new) treatment options, symptom management, and psychosocial care is needed, also in the context of increasing long-term survival and growing attention for cancer survivorship.
Authors: Clark Dumontier; Kerri M Clough-Gorr; Rebecca A Silliman; Andreas E Stuck; André Moser Journal: J Geriatr Oncol Date: 2016-12-13 Impact factor: 3.599
Authors: K A Lightbody; M D Wilkie; A J Kinshuck; E Gilmartin; H Lewis-Jones; T M Jones; J Lancaster Journal: Ann R Coll Surg Engl Date: 2015-10 Impact factor: 1.891
Authors: Hans Jørgen Aarstad; Arild Andrè Østhus; Helene Hersvik Aarstad; Stein Lybak; Anne Kari H Aarstad Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2019-09-16 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Annette J van Nieuwenhuizen; Laurien M Buffart; Jan H Smit; Ruud H Brakenhoff; Boudewijn J M Braakhuis; Remco de Bree; C René Leemans; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-08-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Rico N Rinkel; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw; Patricia Doornaert; Jan Buter; Remco de Bree; Johannes A Langendijk; Neil K Aaronson; C René Leemans Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2015-06-14 Impact factor: 2.503