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Otolaryngology, ENT & Sinus News Provided by the California Sinus CentersLong-term Health-Related Quality of Life in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer [Original Article]January 16, 2012, 12:00 pm by Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck SurgeryObjective To examine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reported by 5-year head and neck cancer survivors and factors that predicted these long-term scores. Design Prospective, observational outcomes study. Setting Tertiary care institution. Patients A total of 337 patients diagnosed as having head and neck carcinoma between January 1995 and December 2004, who enrolled in the Outcomes Assessment Project and survived at least 5 years. Interventions While participating in the longitudinal Outcomes Assessment Project, patients filled out surveys measuring HRQOL at numerous points in time. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes included 5-year scores in eating, speech, aesthetics, social disruption, physical and mental health, depressive symptoms, and overall quality of life (QOL). In addition to analyzing patients' 5-year HRQOL outcomes, multivariate analyses were performed to determine which patient, clinical, treatment, and 1-year HRQOL factors independently predicted these 5-year outcomes. Results Overall, the cohort's long-term general health was similar to that to age-matched norms from the general population. But over 50% of these survivors had problems eating, 28.5% reported depressive symptoms, and 17.3% reported substantial pain. At long-term follow-up, 13.6% continued to smoke, and 38.9% used alcohol. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that 1-year pain and diet were the strongest independent predictors of 5-year HRQOL outcomes. Conclusions Eating problems due to poor oropharyngeal functioning and persistent pain are the most prevalent problems that these survivors face. Early interventions addressing eating issues, swallowing problems, and pain management will be a crucial component in improving this patient population's long-term QOL, especially in those who are functioning poorly 1 year after diagnosis.
More from Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Incidence of Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: 1997-2006 [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 16, 2012, 12:00 pm Objectives To evaluate the incidence of acute mastoiditis in children in the United States over the years 1997 through 2006 and to explore possible explanations for the conflicting conclusions of recent studies Radiotherapy in Parotid Acinic Cell Carcinoma: Does It Have an Impact on Survival? [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 16, 2012, 12:00 pm Objective Acinic (or acinar) cell carcinoma (ACC) represents approximately 10% of salivary gland malignant tumors and most commonly occurs in the parotid gland. It carries a propensity for locoregional and distant metastasis. Koi frenzy [About the Cover] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm About This Journal [About This Journal] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm Complications of Adenotonsillectomy in Patients Younger Than 3 Years [Original Article] Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery: April 1, 2012, 12:00 pm Objective To evaluate the complication rate for adenotonsillectomy in children younger than 3 years, without a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea, to assess the necessity for postoperative inpatient admission. Design Retrospective medical
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