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Quality of life and voice assessment in patients with early‐stage glottic cancer
Author(s) -
Arias Fernando,
Arraras Juan Ignacio,
Asin Gemma,
Uzcanga María Itziar,
Maraví Enrique,
Chicata Volker,
Eito Clara,
Zarandona Uxue,
Mora Itxaso,
Vila Meritxell,
Domínguez Miguel Angel
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.23603
Subject(s) - quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , physical therapy , nursing
Background The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and voice handicap in a sample of disease‐free patients who had been treated at our center with radiotherapy (RT) or surgery for early glottic cancer. Methods QOL and voice handicap were assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaires Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core 30‐questions (QLQ‐C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Head and Neck 35‐questions (QLQ‐H&N35) and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results Ninety‐one patients completed the questionnaires. Fifty‐nine patients (65%) were treated with RT and 32 (35%) with surgery. QOL scores for the sample recorded, moderate limitations in 6 areas, and more than moderate limitations (>30 of 100) in 2 areas. Significant differences were found in emotional functioning (88.5 vs 76.6) and social contact (4.6 vs 12.1) on the EORTC questionnaires and on the VHI (6.1 vs 12.8), which favored the RT group. Conclusion In this cross‐sectional study, voice quality, emotional functioning, and social contact were better in the RT group. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 340–346, 2015