Health‐Related Quality of Life in Patients With a Head and Neck Sarcoma: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with head and neck sarcomas (HNS) face unique health-related quality of life (HRQoL) challenges due to its disease rarity. This study examined and identified the prevalence of generic- and location-specific HRQoL issues. METHODS: Quantitative data from 72 HNS survivors (SURVSARC study), and qualitative data from 18 HNS patients (EORTC QoL VOICE study) were examined. Descriptive statistics was used for questionnaire data. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Quantitative findings showed fatigue (68%), speaking issues (50%), and dry mouth (48%) as common problems. Qualitative findings supported quantitative results and highlighted HNS-specific issues, including throat pain, impaired tongue mobility, and swelling in the face and neck. CONCLUSION: HNS patients share symptoms with other cancers, but location-specific issues, such as lack of tongue mobility, require tailored measurement strategies. Combining generic (EORTC QLQ-C30), location-specific (EORTC QLQ-H&N43) questionnaires, and an HNS-specific item list provides a comprehensive HRQoL assessment for future research and clinical practice.
Source: Head & Neck
DOI: 10.1002/hed.28226
Authors: E. Koffi, C. S. Padilla, C. Drabbe, W. H. Schreuder, C. Zemouri, D. den Hollander, D. J. Grünhagen, S. Sodergren, S. Singer, R. L. Jones, I. M. E. Desar, L. Fauske, M. Pinto, I. Nixon, S. Salah, Ø. S. Bruland, V. L. M. N. Soomers, M. A. J. van de Sande, J. J. de Haan, C. Verhoef, L. C. Steggink, W. J. van Houdt, T. I. Bootsma, M. T. Tesselaar, W. T. A. van der Graaf, O. Husson
Institutions: The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Université de Rouen Normandie, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Erasmus MC, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Southampton, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, University Medical Center Groningen, Maastricht University Medical Centre
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,760
OpenAlex ID: W4411840380