The impact of head and neck cancer and facial disfigurement on the quality of life of patients and their partners.
BACKGROUND
Psychological and physical stresses from head and neck cancer can be substantial for patients and partners. There is minimal research exploring treatment impact, particularly facial disfigurement after surgery.


METHODS
Twenty-eight surgery and radiotherapy/brachytherapy/chemoradiation patients and 25 of their partners were compared with 23 radiotherapy/brachytherapy patients and 19 partners. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Psychosocial Adaptation to Illness Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality Of Life Scale, including the Head and Neck Cancer module. The Dropkin Disfigurement and Dysfunction scale classified surgical impairment.


RESULTS
Partners reported greater distress than patients on some scales. Patients did not have a lower quality of life compared with normal populations and other cancer patients. However, on the EORTC they did and were comparable to a normed sample of head and neck cancer patients. Treatment modality was not predictive of psychological vulnerability.


CONCLUSIONS
Head and neck cancer patients do not necessarily experience poor quality of life. The disease can have a significant impact on partners.
Vickery
Lindsey E
LE
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, St. James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom. lindsey.vickery@leedsth.nhs.uk
Latchford
Gary
G
Hewison
Jenny
J
Bellew
Maggie
M
Feber
Tricia
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*