Evaluation Of Quality Of Life In The Patients With Total Laryngectomy

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 were using an electrolarynx device, and 25 were using the esophageal speech method. 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 two years and above two years. The participants who received radiotherapy had a worse score than those who did not receive treatment and received chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.011, p = 0.012). 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.