Prabhusankar Kamatchinathan1, Nisharudeen Kaja2, Varun Muthuraman2, Yuvaraj Antharaju3, Mahendra Kumar2, Usha Varadharajan4. 1. Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India . 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India . 3. Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sri Venkateshwara Dental College , Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India . 4. Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer is prevalent worldwide with high incidence of mortality and morbidity. It is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rate. Moreover, patients affected are more likely to develop psychological issues and thus, addressing psychological needs of such patients is crucial. AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life of oral cancer patients in the pre-operative period, thereby providing them with the necessary psychological support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 206 patients, scheduled to undergo treatment for oral cancer were selected from various cancer centres in South India. After informed consent, 171 patients were finally analysed for their quality of life using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4; and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N), as a Quality of Life (QOL) survey. RESULT: Most of the patients had poor quality of life and were found to be emotionally distressed pre-operatively as they did not have proper emotional support from society. CONCLUSION: From the study it was observed that catering to the psychological needs of oral cancer patients is important and psychological counselling should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for such patients.
INTRODUCTION:Oral cancer is prevalent worldwide with high incidence of mortality and morbidity. It is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rate. Moreover, patients affected are more likely to develop psychological issues and thus, addressing psychological needs of such patients is crucial. AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life of oral cancerpatients in the pre-operative period, thereby providing them with the necessary psychological support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 206 patients, scheduled to undergo treatment for oral cancer were selected from various cancer centres in South India. After informed consent, 171 patients were finally analysed for their quality of life using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4; and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N), as a Quality of Life (QOL) survey. RESULT: Most of the patients had poor quality of life and were found to be emotionally distressed pre-operatively as they did not have proper emotional support from society. CONCLUSION: From the study it was observed that catering to the psychological needs of oral cancerpatients is important and psychological counselling should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for such patients.
Entities:
Keywords:
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4; Psychological; Quality of Life (QOL) survey
Authors: Jaap L van den Brink; Maarten F de Boer; Jean F A Pruyn; Wim C J Hop; Carel D A Verwoerd; Peter W Moorman Journal: J Otolaryngol Date: 2006-12