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Quality of Life After Total Laryngectomy: A Retrospective Study

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Abstract

Quality of life is severely affected in laryngeal cancer patients, who have undergone total laryngectomy, particularly with regard to cancer diagnosis and the consequences of total laryngectomy. The aim of the present study is to record and evaluate the problems related with the quality of life in laryngectomized patients. A further goal is to investigate, whether a correlation exists between demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients. Fifty male patients, who underwent total laryngectomy, participated in the study. Two questionnaires were used to test various quality of life parameters, the EORTC QLQ C30 version 3.0 and EORTC QLQ H&N35. Specific demographic and clinical data of the patients were also recorded. The overall quality of life index was similar in both studied patients and the reference group of cancer patients provided by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). However, the following discrepancies were noted: voice, senses, dyspnoea were more problematic in studied patients, whereas the functional status of cognitive, physical, social and emotional function were better. In most recorded symptoms, the intensity was mild. The demographic and clinical data appeared to have interesting correlations with specific functional aspects and symptoms. Although several quality of life aspects are found to be negatively affected in laryngectomized patients, overall quality of life appears to be satisfactory.

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Acknowledgements

This study was not supported by any company or persons other than the authors.

Funding

Researchers did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Konstantinos Vlachtsis, Nikolaos Tsetsos, Sotiria Sotiroudi, Georgios Fyrmpas & Angelos Nikolaou

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK

    Marios Stavrakas

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  1. Konstantinos Vlachtsis
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  2. Nikolaos Tsetsos
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  3. Sotiria Sotiroudi
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  4. Marios Stavrakas
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  5. Georgios Fyrmpas
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  6. Angelos Nikolaou
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Correspondence to Nikolaos Tsetsos.

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Vlachtsis, K., Tsetsos, N., Sotiroudi, S. et al. Quality of Life After Total Laryngectomy: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 74 (Suppl 3), 4982–4990 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-02575-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-02575-z

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