Abstract
The quality of life (QOL) of patients with head and neck cancer was evaluated by the use of a QOL checklist developed by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. This QOL checklist is considered to also be applicable to patients with head and neck cancer, but further studies are still called for in order to make a more precise evaluation in the head and neck field. The present study revealed that the total QOL score depends first of all on the patient's physical condition, secondary on their ability to lead an active life, thirdly, on psychological symptoms and fourth, on their ability to interact socially. In order to improve the QOL, therefore, an improvement in the patient's physical condition is necessary and thereafter the care of the psychological and social interaction problems should be dealt with. In patients with laryngeal cancer, no significant difference was observed between the laryngectomy group and the conservative treatment group. The main factor improving the total QOL score is thus considered to be improving the amount of social interaction in the conservative treatment group, while it is thought to depend on improving the patient's physical condition in the laryngectomy group.
