Long-term quality of life after total laryngectomy and postoperative radiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal preservation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent total laryngectomy with voice prosthesis insertion and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) with those receiving concurrent chemoradiation for laryngeal preservation.


METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional study in a tertiary academic center.


METHODS
The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires were used to assess long-term QoL in 67 patients treated for laryngeal cancer.


RESULTS
The scores of functional scales for physical (P < .000), social (P = .001), and role functioning (P = .043) were more favorable in the chemoradiation group. The global QoL score was higher in the nonsurgical group (P = .016). Surgical patients reported on sleep disturbance (P < .000), dyspnea (P = .001), and pain (P = .003), with a higher scores and greater difficulties with the senses (P < .000), social contact (P = .002) and speech (P = .010). The chemoradiation group reported greater problems with dry mouth (P < .000) and sticky saliva (P = .005).


CONCLUSIONS
We found better long-term QoL scores in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation. This appears to be mainly because of better physical functioning, social functioning, and social contact and smaller problems with pain, respiration, speech, the senses, and sleep disturbances.
Boscolo-Rizzo
Paolo
P
ENT Department and Regional Center for Head and Neck Cancer, University of Padua, School of Medicine, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy. paolo.boscolorizzo@unipd.it
Maronato
Francesca
F
Marchiori
Carlo
C
Gava
Alessandro
A
Da Mosto
Maria Cristina
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents