Impact of secondary lymphedema after head and neck cancer treatment on symptoms, functional status, and quality of life.
BACKGROUND
Lymphedema may disrupt local function and affect quality of life (QOL) in patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations among severity of internal and external lymphedema, symptoms, functional status, and QOL in patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
The sample included 103 patients who were ≥ 3 months after head and neck cancer treatment. Variables assessed included severity of internal and external lymphedema, physical/psychological symptoms, functional status, and QOL.


RESULTS
Severity of internal and external lymphedema was associated with physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. Patients with more severe external lymphedema were more likely to have a decrease in neck left/right rotation. The combined effects of external and internal lymphedema severity were associated with hearing impairment and decreased QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphedema severity correlates with symptom burden, functional status, and QOL in patients after head and neck cancer treatment.
School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240, USA. jie.deng@vanderbilt.edu
Jie
J
Deng
Barbara A
BA
Murphy
Mary S
MS
Dietrich
Nancy
N
Wells
Kenneth A
KA
Wallston
Robert J
RJ
Sinard
Anthony J
AJ
Cmelak
Jill
J
Gilbert
Sheila H
SH
Ridner
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires