Publication

Abstract : Objective: To compare quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced laryngeal cancers treated by total laryngectomy with those who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study of the patients treated in our institution who have completed one year of follow-up and were disease-free at the time of evaluation. Subjects and Method: Forty patients treated for advanced cancer of the larynx (stage III/IV), either by concurrent chemoradiation (11) or total laryngectomy and postoperative radiation (29), have been included in this study. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-HN) version 4 questionnaire was used. Results: Total scores for overall QOL are equal in both treatment groups (P = 0.69). Scores for individual components are similar in both treatment groups. However, dryness of mouth is significantly worse in the chemoradiotherapy group (P = 0.01) and ability to communicate with others is poorer in the laryngectomy group (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Long-term overall QOL remains similar in all the patients treated for advanced carcinoma of the larynx irrespective of treatment modality. © 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.