Abstract
Background
The purpose of this qualitative study is to describe the patient’s experiences as they reintegrate into the community following laryngectomy surgery and identify their perceived support and barriers within this transition.
Methods
Using Thorne’s interpretive descriptive approach, purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from two large urban hospitals. In-depth, audio-taped interviews were conducted with nine participants 6–12 months following surgery.
Results
Enveloped under an overarching theme of a “Constant Accommodation to Life with a Laryngectomy,” were three main themes: (1) “Impact of Cancer Diagnosis,” (2) “Coping with Illness: Trying to Live Life like Before,” and (3) “Transitions in Recovery.” Subthemes further illuminated the constant accommodation participants had to make following cancer recurrence, surgery, and returning home.
Conclusions
Patients with laryngectomies face major changes in lifestyle related to altered airway, loss of voice, body image concerns, and challenges with eating. Support of family, friends, and health care professionals is critical for successful transition during this stressful period. Instant messaging, email, Web-based support groups, and video messaging can contribute to a great improvement in communication and engagement for this population.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bozec A, Poissonnet G, Chamorey E, Demard F, Santini J, Peyrade F, Ortholan C, Benezery K, Thariat J, Sudaka A, Anselme K, Adrey B, Giacchero P, Dassonville O (2010) Results of vocal cord rehabilitation using tracheoesophogeal voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy and their predictive factors. Laryngology 267:751–758
Dropkin M (1997) Coping and disfigurement/dysfunction and length of hospital stay after head and neck cancer surgery. ORL-Head Neck Nurs 15:22–26
Dropkin M (1998) Disfigurement and dysfunction with head and neck cancer surgery. ORL-Head Neck Nurs 16:28–29
Dropkin M (2001) Anxiety, coping strategies, and coping behaviours in undergoing head and neck cancer surgery. Cancer Nurs 24:143–148
Happ M, Roesch T, Kagan S (2004) Communication methods, and perceived voice quality following head and neck surgery: a literature review. Cancer Nurs 27:1–9
Hd M (2002) The influence of early speech rehabilitation with voice prosthesis on the psychological state of laryngectomized patients. Eur Arch Oto-rhino-laryngol 259:48–52
Johansson M, Ryden A, Finizia C (2008) Self evaluation of communication experiences after laryngeal cancer—a longitudinal questionnaire study in patients with laryngeal cancer. BMC Cancer 8:80-91
Klemm P, Hardie T (2002) Depression in Internet and face-to-face cancer support groups: a pilot study. Oncol Nurs Forum 29(4):45–51
Lee MT, Gibson S, Hilari K (2010) Gender differences in health-related quality of life following total laryngectomy. Int J Lang Commun Disord 45:287–294
Lennie TA, Christman SK, Jadack RA (2001) Educational needs and altered eating habits following total layrngectomy. Oncol Nurs Forum 28(4):667–674
Maclean J, Cotton S, Perry A (2009) Dysphagia following a total laryngectomy: the effect on quality of life, functioning, and psychology well-being. Dysphagia 24:314–321
Morton P, Witterick I (1995) Rationale and development of a quality-of- life instrument for head-and-neck cancer patients. Am J Otolaryngol 16:284–293
Noonan BJH, Josephine (2010) The impact of total laryngectomy: the patient’s perspective. Oncol Nurs Forum 37:293–301
Price B (2002) Laddered questions and qualitative data research interviews. J Adv Nurs 37:273–281
Rapoport Y, Chaitchik S, Algor R, Weissler K (1993) Psychosocial problems in head-and-neck cancer patients and their change with time since diagnosis. Ann Oncol 4:69–73
Relic A, Mazemda P, Arens C, Koller M, Glanz H (2001) Investigating quality of life and coping resources after laryngectomy. Eur Arch Oto-rhino-laryngol 258:514–517
Risberg-Berlin B, Ryden A, Moller RY, Finizia C (2009) Effects of total laryngectomy on olfactory function, health-related quality of life, and communication: a 3-year follow-up study. BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord 9:8-16
Rogers SN, Ahad SA, Murphy AP (2007) A structured review and theme analysis of paper published on “quality of life” in head and neck cancer: 2000–2005. Oral Oncol 43:843–868
Ruf MBSMH, Zwahlen RA, Jenewein J (2009) Positive personal changes in the aftermath of head and neck cancer diagnosis: a qualitative study in patients and their spouses. Head Neck 31:513–520
Sawka AM, Goldstein DP, Brierley JD, Tsang RW, Rotstein L, Ezzat S, Straus S, George SR, Abbey S, Rodin G, O’Brien MA, Gafni A, Thabane L, Goguen J, Naeem A, Magalhaes L (2009) The impact of thyroid cancer and post-surgical radioactive iodine treatment on the lives of thyroid cancer survivors: a qualitative study. PLoS One 4(1):e4191
Semple C (2001) The role of CNS in head and neck oncology. Nurs Stand 15:39–46
Semple C (2008) Changes and challenges to patients’ lifestyle patterns following treatment for head and neck cancer. J Adv Nurs 63:8
Sullivan K (1999) Managing the sensitive research interview: a personal account. Nurse Res 6:72–86
Thorne S, Reimer S, MacDonald-Emes J (1997) Interpretive description: a noncategorical qualitative alternative for developing nursing knowledge. Res Nurs Health 20:169–177
Ward E, Coleman A, van As-Brooks C, Kerle S (2010) Rehabilitation of olfaction post-laryngectomy: a randomized control trial comparing clinician assisted versus a home practice approach. Clin Otolaryngol 35:39–45
Acknowledgements
The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing Scholarship for Advanced Practice Oncology Nursing Researchers, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto 2008–2009; Doris Leung RN PhD, research officer, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto; Adrienne Desjardins RN, Surgery/Oncology Mount Sinai Hospital; and Colleen Simpson, research assistant, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network are acknowledged.
Conflict of interest
My three co-investigators and I have no conflict of interest to declare in the submitted study
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dooks, P., McQuestion, M., Goldstein, D. et al. Experiences of patients with laryngectomies as they reintegrate into their community. Support Care Cancer 20, 489–498 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1101-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1101-4