Jie Deng1, Sheila Ridner1, Russell Rothman2, Barbara Murphy3, Kerry Sherman4, Lee Moore5, Kourtney Hall1, Betsy Weiner1. 1. 1 School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee. 2. 2 Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee. 3. 3 Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center , Nashville, Tennessee. 4. 4 Department of Psychology, Macquarie University , Sydney, Australia . 5. 5 Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic , Yakima, Washington.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lymphedema frequently develops as a long-term effect from cancer and/or its treatment, including head and neck cancer (HNC). There is a substantial lack of understanding regarding the symptoms and experiences related to head and neck lymphedema. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore HNC patients' experiences of lymphedema, with emphasis on physical findings and associated symptom burden. DESIGN: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. A purposive sample of 20 HNC patients who completed lymphedema therapy participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was utilized to assess data. RESULTS: Participants delineated the time when lymphedema onset presented and the sites of involvement. Most participants first noticed external or internal lymphedema/swelling within three months following either surgery or radiation therapy. Participants described a broad array of concurrent symptoms and functional deficits, including altered sensations, altered functions, neck-shoulder musculoskeletal/skin impairments, and psychosocial symptoms. DISCUSSION: HNC patients experienced multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms during the time they experienced lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians need to inquire about tissue swelling and associated symptoms early in the post-treatment period to initiate lymphedema management strategies in a timely manner and facilitate reduction of long-term symptom burden and functional deficits.
BACKGROUND:Lymphedema frequently develops as a long-term effect from cancer and/or its treatment, including head and neck cancer (HNC). There is a substantial lack of understanding regarding the symptoms and experiences related to head and neck lymphedema. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore HNC patients' experiences of lymphedema, with emphasis on physical findings and associated symptom burden. DESIGN: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. A purposive sample of 20 HNC patients who completed lymphedema therapy participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was utilized to assess data. RESULTS:Participants delineated the time when lymphedema onset presented and the sites of involvement. Most participants first noticed external or internal lymphedema/swelling within three months following either surgery or radiation therapy. Participants described a broad array of concurrent symptoms and functional deficits, including altered sensations, altered functions, neck-shoulder musculoskeletal/skin impairments, and psychosocial symptoms. DISCUSSION: HNC patients experienced multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms during the time they experienced lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians need to inquire about tissue swelling and associated symptoms early in the post-treatment period to initiate lymphedema management strategies in a timely manner and facilitate reduction of long-term symptom burden and functional deficits.
Authors: Asha Mathew; Amit Jiwan Tirkey; Hongjin Li; Alana Steffen; Mark B Lockwood; Crystal L Patil; Ardith Z Doorenbos Journal: Semin Oncol Nurs Date: 2021-09-03 Impact factor: 3.527
Authors: Giulia Daneshgaran; Andrea Y Lo; Connie B Paik; Michael N Cooper; Cynthia Sung; Wan Jiao; Sun Y Park; Pauline Ni; Roy P Yu; Ivetta Vorobyova; Tea Jashashvili; Young-Kwon Hong; Gene H Kim; Peter S Conti; Yang Chai; Alex K Wong Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-12-04 Impact factor: 4.379