Quality of Life of Patients with Laryngeal Cancer Following Laryngectomy

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) following laryngectomy and the relevant factors influencing QOL.Methods: The QOL was evaluated in 38 patients undergoing total laryngectomy and 21 partial laryngectomy with the FACT-HN questionnaire.All data were analyzed with t-test and multiple linear regression analysis.Results: The composite total QOL scores of patients with partial laryngectomy(110.4±16.3) were higher than those of patients with total laryngectomy(88.0±23.8),with a difference being statistically significant(P(0.01)).Partial laryngectomy patients(24.2±3.3) were better than total laryngectomy patients(22.2±4.3,P(0.05)) in physical well-being.In social/family well-being,emotional well-being,functional well-being and additional concerns partial laryngectomy patients(22.1±4.6;20.5±3.9;19.5±4.6;23.5±5.5) were also better than total laryngectomy patients(16.8±7.2;16.3±5.7;14.7±6.8;17.9±5.0,P0.01).Radiotherapy or/and chemotherapy,complication,operative modality and stage were related to postlaryngectomy QOL.Conclusion: FACT-HN questionnaire is suitable for QOL research for laryngeal cancer in China.The QOL of patients with partial laryngectomy are better than that of patients with total laryngectomy.In the condition of thoroughly cut laryngeal cancer,partial laryngectomy is superior to total laryngectomy in QOL.