title: Quality of life after total glosso-laryngectomy.
abstract: The article explores the quality of life of two participants who had undergone total glosso-laryngectomy as treatment for advanced tongue base cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and questions relating to the effects of treatment on physical, functional, social and psychological well-being were asked. Thematic analysis of the interviews was done to determine recurring themes in the answers of the participants. The findings showed that total glosso-laryngectomy has a significant impact on quality of life. A good quality of life can be maintained in a patient who has an extensive support structure and can achieve intelligible oral communication. Pre-operative counselling by a multi-disciplinary team is important for a person to make an informed decision regarding surgery for head and neck cancer. Shared decision making needs to be addressed in the South African service delivery context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. leanie.2305@vodamail.co.za
authors.forename: Leanie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van der Merwe
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*