title: Quality of life after treatment of laryngeal carcinoma: a single centre cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laryngeal cancer treatment inherently affects life's most basic functions and significantly affects quality of life (QOL). We aimed to identify which aspects of QOL and which patients are most affected by the various treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  The University of Washington  Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire was administered to all patients with laryngeal cancer treated at a single institution over a seven-year period (2003-2010).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 41 patients responded. All had been treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Questionnaires  were completed at a median of 18.5 months after treatment. The overall quality of life was 81.1/100 as assessed by the UW-QOL scale, with only 4.9% reporting 'poor' or worse QOL. Neither patient age nor time after treatment significantly affected any aspect of QOL. Patients undergoing primary  radiotherapy reported the best QOL. Those undergoing chemoradiotherapy or combined surgical treatment and chemoradiotherapy reported the worst QOL, particularly in terms of social eating, taste and saliva production. Patients with a T stage ≥2 and those with nodal metastases reported a  significantly worse QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, QOL in our patients was good. This study highlights the aspects of QOL most affected by various treatments for laryngeal cancer and identifies areas in which therapeutic intervention may be focused. It also provides information to guide clinicians  when assisting patients to make informed decisions regarding treatment of their head and neck cancer.
authors: Department of ENT, Royal Gwent hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 2UB, UK. jswilliamson@doctors.org.uk
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Williamson
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Ingrams
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome