A Cross Sectional Study On The Quality Of Life After Ablative Surgery Of Head And Neck Cancer In a Caucasian Population

Authors

  • K.Y. Dong Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya
  • M.S. Chan Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya
  • S.T. Ong Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/adum.vol9no1.1

Keywords:

quality of life, head and neck cancer, Caucasians, surgery

Abstract

    Twenty-one patients who underwent ablative surgery for head and neck cancer at Bristol Dental Hospital and School, England between the years 1996 and 2002 were enrolled in the study. A self-completed questionnaire based on Head and Neck Specific measures was addressed to the patients. The overall post-operative quality of life among these patients is acceptable. About half of the patients complained of moderate to severe difficulty in opening mouth wide (55%) and dry mouth (45%) and about one-third had major problems in swallowing solid food (36%), sleep disturbance (32%), trouble eating and enjoying meals (32%) and speech problems (32%). The study shows a tendency for the quality of life to improve steadily with increasing post-operative interval. It is hoped that the results will provide an insight into the patients' functional and psychological recovery, which will in turn help to facilitate the planning of appropriate strategies to improve their quality of life.

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Published

2002-12-31

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2002)

Section

Original/Research Article

License

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