Psychosocial adjustment of patients surgically treated for head and neck cancer

✍ Scribed by Dr. Alessio Gamba; Maria Romano; Drs. Llaria M. Grosso; Dr. Marcello Tamburini; Giulio Cantú; Roberto Molinari; Vittorio Ventafridda

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 560 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.2880140309

✦ Synopsis

Sixty-six patients, surgically treated for head and neck cancer and free of disease, were interviewed at the outpatient clinic from 6 months to 8 years after surgery. The patients were divided by the physician into two groups, according to the patients' degree of disfigurement, i.e., minor (24 patients, 36%, minor disfigurement group = MDG) or extensive (42 patients, 64%, extensive disfigurement group = EDG). Subsequently, the patients were interviewed with close-ended questions. The following subjective aspects were assessed: self-image; relationship with the partner, family, and friends; and the overall impact of the therapy. The results of the study showed a significantly higher impact in the EDG versus the MDG as regards a changed self-image (57% vs 25%, P < 0.05), a worsened relationship with the partner (27% vs O%, P < 0.05), a reduced sexuality (74% vs 39%, P < 0.01), and an increased social isolation (36% vs 12%, P < 0.05). On the whole, 18% of the subjects stated that the disadvantages of therapy outweighed the advantages, and 30% felt that the difficulties encountered were "too harsh." In such cases, the opportunity of setting up a rehabilitation program offering psychosocial support should be considered.