Relationship between Late Effects and Social Distress in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors More Than One Year After Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between late effects and social distresses in head and neck cancer survivors more than one year after radiotherapy. Method: An existing subset of head and neck cancer-specific quality of life scale was used to assess late effects and social distresses in survivors who had completed radiotherapy for more than 1 year. Descriptive statistics were performed for each social distresses and symptom, and were analyzed their association. Results: Seventy-three people responded to the survey. All patients had some symptoms. The most prevalent and severe late effect was dry mouth (79.5%). In addition, the most prevalent social distress was trouble with social eating (87.7%), and the most severe was speech problems. There was a significant positive correlation between late effects and social distresses. Social distresses were associated with dysphagia and sticky saliva and a history of surgery. Conclusion: Head and neck cancer survivors may have multiple late effects and social distresses at the same time, and there are a need for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of symptoms in the outpatient setting.