Life-satisfaction in patients with head and neck cancer.

Life-satisfaction is a measure of a patient's perception of the difference between his reality and his needs, or wants. This study reports the results of a longitudinal survey of patients' self-reported life-satisfaction following treatment for head and neck cancer. Life-satisfaction scores improved with time, and were related to pain, speech difficulty, and dysphagia. Lack of adequate family support was also important, although an uncommon problem. Treatment modality did not emerge as a significant determinant of life-satisfaction; speech difficulties were more likely to be due to articulation problems than voicing difficulty.