title: Quality of life in patients submitted to total laryngectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laryngeal carcinoma accounts for about 80 000 deaths annually worldwide. Despite its aggressiveness, total laryngectomy (TL) is a treatment option with curative intent. This article aims to evaluate its impact on these patients quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients who underwent TL with bilateral neck dissection between 2003 and 2012 responded to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Core Questionnaire, the Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data revealed that QoL is lower in these patients compared with general population. Regarding alaryngeal speech modalities, esophageal speech is associated with a significantly higher physical functional capacity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TL results in a permanent disability with decreased functional capacity and psychological distress. Close monitoring of these patients and investing in speech rehabilitation are essential to preserve their QoL.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: anacostapsilva@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pereira da Silva
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Telma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feliciano
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaz Freitas
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cecília
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almeida E Sousa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014833:Voice Quality
keywords: Alaryngeal speech; Laryngectomy; Quality of life