title: Preliminary Testing of a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe development and preliminary testing of Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom Survey-Recurrent/Metastatic (VHNSS-RM) to assess residual symptoms, tumor-related symptoms, and side effects from therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Items were identified through patient and provider interviews. Card sort selected high-yield and high-impact items. The VHNSS-RM was administered to 50 patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer (RMHNC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VHNSS-RM includes 12 unique symptoms (diet change, tongue movement affecting speech/swallowing, face/neck swelling, neck/jaw cramping, bad breath, drooling, wound drainage/pain/odor, nasal congestion/drainage, eyes watering, face/tongue/ear/scalp numbness, headaches, and confusion) and 7 unique psychosocial issues (burden to family/friends, lost independence, fear, embarrassment, mood swings, stress, and boredom).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VHNSS-RM contains 35 physical and 12 psychosocial issues. The VHNSS-RM is feasible and not overly burdensome. Nineteen unique items may improve palliation to patients with RMHNC.
authors: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA leanne.kolnick@vanderbilt.edu.
authors: Leanne K
authors: LK
authors: Jackson
authors: School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Deng
authors: School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Sheila H
authors: SH
authors: Ridner
authors: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Gilbert
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Mary S
authors: MS
authors: Dietrich
authors: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: metastatic head and neck cancer; patient-reported outcomes; recurrent head and neck cancer; symptom burden; toxicities; unique symptoms