The lived experience of patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: a literature review

Abstract

It is estimated that 60% of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer will receive radiotherapy at some stage in their disease trajectory. The aim of this literature review was to find and analyse papers pertaining to the lived experiences of patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy. The review identified a limited number of high-quality research papers focusing on this topic, with only 10 papers fitting the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The majority of the investigative studies were not generalisable owing to small sample sizes and many of them being conducted in only one centre. However, the findings do highlight and contribute to the understanding of the lived experiences of this patient group and provide some insight into the unique physical, social, and psychological difficulties they encounter as a result of their treatment. There appears to be a need for further high-level research into these patients, particularly focusing on the provision of support and information prior to, during, and following radiotherapy. Further attention needs to be paid to preparing patients for the slow recovery following radiotherapy. Interventional studies are also required to develop clinical guidelines and protocols that can assist health professionals in meeting the holistic needs of this patient group.

Voice rehabilitation for laryngeal cancer patients: Functional outcomes and patient perceptions

“…Perceptually, patients typically present with voice changes characterized by hoarseness, reduced volume, and vocal strain/supraglottic activity during phonation, with a proportion of patients reporting persistent voice change . Given the potential for many patients to experience a degree of long‐term deficit to function, there is a need to examine if patient management can be optimized by improving functional outcomes, as has been recommended …”

“…3,6,[11][12][13] Given the potential for many patients to experience a degree of long-term deficit to function, there is a need to examine if patient management can be optimized by improving functional outcomes, as has been recommended. [14][15][16][17] To date, however, few studies have systematically explored the efficacy of voice rehabilitation (VR) post laryngeal cancer treatment. In 2006, van Gogh et al, 18 recruited a cross-section of 23 early glottic cancer patients 6 months to 10 years postcancer treatment.…”

Quality of life in patients with dysphagia after radiation and chemotherapy treatment for head and neck tumors

“…However, radiotherapy can cause other disorders in different degrees of severity, notably: edema and fibrosis of the exposed region, trismus, mucositis, xerostomia, odynophagia, actinic dermatitis, substantial weight loss, and the need to use alternative feeding routes (7). …”

Exploring head and neck cancer patients’ experiences with radiation therapy immobilisation masks: A qualitative study

“…Surgery, radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy are commonly used to treat HNC. Approximately 60% of patients diagnosed receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment (Donovan & Glackin, 2012). To precisely direct radiation during HNC radiation therapy, patients are secured by an immobilisation mask, as seen in Figures 1 and 2.…”