Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Psychosocial Perspective using Mixed Method Approach

OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancers are one of the most visible cancers permanently damaging appearances and affecting some of the very basic life functions of the patients. With advances in medical care and multidisciplinary team interventions, such changes can be managed and patient’s quality of life (QOL) be improved. Thus, it is important to understand the QOL concerns of the patients. The objective of the study was to examine QOL concerns of the patients with head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 100 adult cancer patients was selected from NCT of Delhi using non-probability sampling design. Data were collected through European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaires 30 (EORTC QLQ30) and EORTC QLQ Head and Neck specific 35 inventories which was supplemented with qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews. Interdependence of the variables and their impact on QOL of patients was studied using co-relational analyses. RESULTS: Patients with head and neck cancer experienced major changes in their speech, appearances, eating pattern, daily routine, and work efficiency. Emotional functioning of the patients was poorest, followed by social functioning, role functioning, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning. Education had significant positive correlation with global QOL (0.382**, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: QOL of head and neck cancer patients was poor. Emotional functioning of the patients was worst affected as patients had high emotional concerns. The study recommends psycho-educational intervention programs to help patients cope up better with the disease and improve their QOL. Patients’ support group and peer counseling would give emotional strength to the patients as few patients derived positive experience out of the disease episode.