Quality of life in patients after total laryngectomy: a cross-sectional study in a Turkish cohort
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Background
Laryngeal cancer, representing 25% of head and neck malignancies, has a rising global incidence. Total laryngectomy (TL), while lifesaving, leads to profound physical, psychological, and social challenges, significantly impairing quality of life (QoL). This study aims to evaluate QoL in total laryngectomy patients using both general and disease-specific scales while examining associations with sociodemographic and clinical factors.
Methods
A total of 55 patients aged from 48 to 78 years were included in the study. Eight participants used an electrolarynx device, 25 used the esophageal speech method, and the remaining 22 patients, unable to use any voice restoration method, communicated through manual signs and writing. The minimum time elapsed between total laryngectomy and study inclusion was at least 6 months. The QoL of patients with TL was investigated using the Patient History Form, including demographic and general health information, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and Turkish FACT-H&N (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Head & Neck) scales.
Results
There were statistically significant differences in patients’ emotional, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) activity and physical health subscales with and without voice rehabilitation training. There was statistical significance in the emotional and total subscales when comparing the time after surgery with 2 years and above 2 years. The participants who received radiotherapy alone had worse scores compared to both those who received surgery alone ( p = 0.003) and those who received chemoradiotherapy ( p = 0.029).
Conclusions
Results of this study indicate that QoL assessments should be routinely applied in clinics. Advice and support on the importance of voice rehabilitation training should be given, considering the psychological conditions of the patients, to support the voice management and rehabilitation of patients with TL.
