Health-related quality of life five years after diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with laryngeal carcinoma in a prospective longitudinal multicenter study at diagnosis, after 1 and 5 years in relation to tumor location and treatment modality.


METHODS
Eighty-six patients (mean age 66 years; 84% males) with laryngeal carcinoma were evaluated with standardized HRQL questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC QLQ-Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).


RESULTS
Some significant changes in HRQL were found between diagnosis and 5 years after diagnosis, depending on the treatment given. The patients' ability to speak improved whereas some general functions deteriorated and treatment-related side effects increased. When comparing HRQL at 1 and 5 years after diagnosis, it appears that most values at the 1-year follow-up assessment persist until 5 years, but a few deteriorate. The HRQL at diagnosis seems to be associated with survival rate after 5 years, and the global quality of life scale at diagnosis tends to predict HRQL after 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of HRQL questionnaires is valuable when comparing different treatments and as an aid in predicting treatment side effects. Evaluation of HRQL at diagnosis for patients with laryngeal carcinoma seems to be of value for the prognosis of HRQL over time and for the prognosis of survival.
Nordgren
Mats
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. mats.nordgren@skane.se
Abendstein
Helmut
H
Jannert
Magnus
M
Boysen
Morten
M
Ahlner-Elmqvist
Marianne
M
Silander
Ewa
E
Bjordal
Kristin
K
Hammerlid
Eva
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life