title: Factors influencing quality of life after total laryngectomy: a study of 92 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Total laryngectomy is a radical surgery for advanced laryngeal cancer. In the present study we evaluate the influencing factors for long term quality of life of 92 laryngectomees.
  
  
  METHODS
  92 patients who underwent laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer in the University Hospital of Patras, Greece were evaluated using a modified version of the EORTC-QOL-C30 questionnaire. The patients were distributed into 6 groups based on time elapsed between surgical treatment and completion of the questionnaire, ranging from 2 years for group 1 to 9-10 years for group 6.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of psychological status (p=0.01), smelling disorders (p=0.032), mood change (p=0.003) were statistically significant in regard to the patient's overall view of their life postsurgically. Coexisting illness (defined as diabetes, hypertension or prostate disease which required medication on daily basis or hospitalization more than two times a year) was also significantly affecting (p=0.021) the patient's oral communication skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life is affected by functional disabilities and the psychological state of the patients. No statistically significant improvement over time was noted in our series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallis
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Goumas
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Mastronikolis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Panogeorgou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stathas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prodromaki
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Papadas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors