title: Quality of life assessment in patients treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment for metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is usually multimodal and associated with morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of treatment on patients' quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey of 42 patients (35 men, 7 women) at least 6 months after metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment, using two standardised quality of life questionnaires: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head and Neck questionnaire and the Facial Disability Index, with statistical analysis to identify potential predictors of outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female gender correlated with significantly lower Facial Disability Index physical function scores (p = 0.017). Alcohol consumption correlated with significantly better scores for Functional Assessment social well-being (p = 0.016), general total score (p = 0.041) and overall total score (p = 0.033), and for Facial Disability Index physical function (p = 0.034). Marital status, education, employment, chemotherapy, time from last treatment, parotidectomy and facial nerve sacrifice did not affect quality of life. The commonest patient complaints were dry mouth (76 per cent), altered voice quality and strength (55 per cent), and physical appearance (45 per cent).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female gender predicts worse quality of life, while alcohol consumption (versus none) predicted for better quality of life.
authors: Head and Neck Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: A Y
authors: AY
authors: Wang
authors: C E
authors: CE
authors: Palme
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Wang
authors: G J
authors: GJ
authors: Morgan
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Gebski
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gilchrist
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Veness
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014833:Voice Quality; D014987:Xerostomia