Seminars in Oncology Nursing
Volume 25, Issue 3 , Pages 231-241 , August 2009

Psychosocial Care of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

  • Jamie L. Penner

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Jamie L. Penner, BPE, RN, BN, MN, Palliative Care Research, Jewish General Hospital Pavilion H, 3755 Cote Ste. Catherine Road, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2

References 

  1. Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, et al, eds. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2005, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2005/, based on November 2007 SEER data submission (accessed January 29, 2009).
  2. Devlin J, Sherman E. Combined modality treatment of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2005;3:373–382
  3. Hanna E, Alexiou M, Morgan J, et al. Intensive chemoradiotherapy as a primary treatment for organ preservation in patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck: efficacy, toxic effects, and limitations. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130:861–867
  4. Jemal A, Murray T, Ward A, et al. Cancer Statistics 2008. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58:71–96
  5. Holland J, Weiss T. The new standard of quality cancer care: integrating the psychosocial aspects in routine cancer from diagnosis through survivorship. Cancer J. 2008;14:425–428
  6. Abendstein H, Nordgren M, Boysen M, et al. Quality of life and head and neck cancer: a 5 year prospective study. Laryngoscope. 2005;115:2183–2192
  7. El-Deiry M, Funk GF, Nalwa S, et al. Long-term quality of life for surgical and nonsurgical treatment of head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;131:879–885
  8. Holloway RL, Hellewell JL, Marbella AM, et al. Psychosocial effects in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. Head Neck. 2005;27:281–288
  9. Karnell IH, Christensen AJ, Rosenthal EL, et al. Influence of social support on health-related quality of life outcomes in head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2007;29:143–146
  10. Mehanna HM, Morton RP. Deterioration in quality-of-life of late (10-year) survivors of head and neck cancer. Clin Otolaryngol. 2006;31:204–211
  11. Mehanna HM, Morton RP. Does quality of life predict long-term survival in patients with head and neck cancer?. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;132:27–31
  12. Larsson M, Hedelin B, Athlin E. Lived experiences of eating problems for patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy. J Clin Nurs. 2003;12:562–570
  13. Semple CJ, Dunwoody L, Kernohan WG, et al. Changes and challenges to patients’ lifestyle patterns following treatment for head and neck cancer. J Adv Nurs. 2008;63:85–93
  14. Whale Z, Lynn PA, Papanikolaou P. Pain experience following radical treatment for head and neck cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2001;5:112–120
  15. Callahan C. Facial disfigurement and sense of self in head and neck cancer. Soc Work Health Care. 2004;40:73–87
  16. Katz MR, Irish JC, Devins GM, et al. Psychosocial adjustment in head and neck cancer: the impact of disfigurement, gender and social support. Head Neck. 2003;25:103–112
  17. Newell R, Ziegler L, Stafford N, et al. The information needs of head and neck cancer patients prior to surgery. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2004;86:407–410
  18. Wood S, Bisson J. Experience of incorporating a mental health service into patient care after operations for cancers of the head and neck. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2004;42:149–154
  19. Katz MR, Irish JC, Devins GM. Development and pilot testing of a psychoeducational intervention for oral cancer patients. Psychooncology. 2004;13:642–653
  20. Bessell A, Moss TP. Evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for individuals with visible differences: a systematic review of the empirical literature. Body Image. 2007;4:227–238
  21. Relic A, Mazemda P, Arens C, et al. Investigating quality of life and coping resources after laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2001;258:514–517
  22. Furness PJ. Exploring supportive care needs and experiences of facial surgery patients. Br J Nurs. 2005;14:641–645
  23. Bowers B. Providing effective support for patients facing disfiguring surgery. Br J Nurs. 2008;17:94–98
  24. Ramirez MJF, Ferriol EE, Domenech FG, et al. Psychosocial adjustment in patients surgically treated for laryngeal cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129:92–97
  25. Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Logemann JA, et al. Pretreatment swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2000;22:474–482
  26. Penner JL, McClement SE, Sawatzky JV. Management of dysphagia in advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2007;13:206–212
  27. McQuestion MA. A qualitative descriptive study of patients’ experiences of receiving primary radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. 2006. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
  28. Newman LA, Vieira F, Schwiezer V, et al. Eating and weight changes following chemoradiation therapy for advanced head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998;124:589–592
  29. Larsson M, Hedelin B, Johansson I, et al. Eating problems and weight loss for patients with head and neck cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2003;28:425–435
  30. Nguyen NP, Frank C, Moltz CC, et al. Impact of dysphagia on quality of life after treatment of head-and-neck cancer. Int J Rad Oncol Bio Phys. 2005;61:772–778
  31. Kulbersh BD, Rosenthal EL, McGrew BM, et al. Pretreatment, preoperative swallowing exercises may improve dysphagia quality of life. Laryngoscope. 2006;116:883–886
  32. Taylor JC, Terrell JE, Ronis DL, et al. Disability in patients with head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130:764–769
  33. Liu H. Changes of satisfaction with appearance and working status for head and neck tumour patients. J Clin Nurs. 2008;17:1930–1938
  34. Short PF, Vasey JJ, Tunceli KT. Employment pathways in a large cohort of adult cancer survivors. Cancer. 2005;103:1292–1301
  35. Terrell JE, Nanavati K, Esclamado RM, et al. Health impact of head and neck cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;120:852–859
  36. Yuen HK, Gillespie MB, Day TA, et al. Driving behaviors in patients with head and neck cancer during and after cancer treatment: a preliminary report. Head Neck. 2007;29:675–681
  37. DeBoer MF, McCormick LK, Pruyn JF, et al. Physical and psychosocial correlates of head and neck cancer: a review of the literature. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1999;120:427–436
  38. Gritz ER, Carmack CL, DeMoor C, et al. First year after head and neck cancer: quality of life. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17:352–360
  39. Singer S, Danker H, Dietz A, et al. Sexual problems after total or partial laryngectomy. Laryngoscope. 2008;118:2218–2224
  40. Gotay CC, Pagano IS. Assessment of survivor concerns (ASC): a newly proposed brief questionnaire. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007;5:15–25
  41. Kissun D, Magennis P, Lowe D, et al. Timing and presentation of recurrent oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and awareness in the outpatient clinic. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006;44:371–376
  42. Mellon S, Northouse LL, Weiss LK. A population-based study of the quality of life of cancer survivors and their family. Cancer Nurs. 2006;29:120–131
  43. Humphris GM, Rogers S, McNally D, et al. Fear of recurrence and possible cases of anxiety and depression in orofacial cancer patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003;32:486–491
  44. Hodges LJ, Humphris GM. Fear of recurrence and psychological distress in head and neck cancer patients and their carers. Psychooncology. 2008;[Epub ahead of print]
  45. Haman KL. Psychologic distress and head and neck cancer: part 1 – review of the literature. J Support Oncol. 2008;6:155–163
  46. Archer J, Hutchison I, Korszun A. Mood and malignancy: head and neck cancer and depression. J Oral Pathol Med. 2008;37:255–270
  47. Massie MJ. Prevalence of depression in patients with cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2004;32:57–71
  48. Zabora J, Brintzenhofeszoc K, Curbow B, et al. The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psychooncology. 2001;10:19–28
  49. Haisfield-Wolfe ME, McGuire DB, Soeken K, et al. Prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review of implications for research. Oncol Nurs Forum 2009;36:E107–E125 [online-only article].
  50. de Leeuw JRJ, de Graeff A, Ros WJG, et al. Prediction of depression 6 months to 3 years after treatment of head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2001;23:892–898
  51. Karnell LH, Funk GF, Christensen AJ, et al. Persistent posttreatment depressive symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2006;28:453–461
  52. Zwahlen RA, Dannemann C, Gratz KW, et al. Quality of life and psychiatric morbidity in patients successfully treated for oral cavity squamous cell cancer and their wives. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;66:1125–1132
  53. Osborn RL, Demoncada AC, Feuerstein M. Psychosocial interventions for depression, anxiety, and quality of life in cancer survivors: meta-analyses. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2006;36:13–34
  54. Allison PJ, Edgar L, Nicolau B, et al. Results of a feasibility study for a psycho-educational intervention in head and neck cancer. Psychooncology. 2004;13:482–485
  55. Duffy SA, Ronis DL, Valenstein M, et al. A tailored smoking, alcohol, and depression intervention for head and neck cancer patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15:2203–2208
  56. Lydiatt WM, Denman D, McNeilly DP, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of citalopram for the prevention of major depression during treatment for head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;134:528–535
  57. Semple CJ, Dunwoody L, Kernohan WG, et al. Development and evaluation of a problem-focused psychosocial intervention for patients with head and neck cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2009;17:379–388
  58. Vakharia KT, Ali MJ, Wang SJ. Quality-of-life impact of participation in a head and neck cancer support group. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;136:405–410
  59. Rodin G, Lloyd N, Katz M, et al. The treatment of depression in cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer. 2007;15:123–136
  60. Moore RJ, Chamberlain RM, Khuri FR. Communicating suffering in primary stage head and neck cancer. Eur J Cancer Care. 2004;13:53–64
  61. Hassanein KA-AM, Musgrove BT, Bradbury E. Psychological outcome of patients following treatment of oral cancer and its relation with functional status and coping mechanisms. J Cranio-Maxillofac Surg. 2005;33:404–409
  62. Aarstad AKH, Aarstad HJ, Olofsson J. Personality and choice of coping predict quality of life in head and neck cancer patients during follow-up. Acta Oncologica. 2008;47:879–890
  63. Derks W, deLeeuw JRJ, Hordijk GJ, et al. Differences in coping style and locus of control between older and younger patients with head and neck cancer. Clin Otolaryngol. 2005;30:186–192
  64. Sharp L, Johansson H, Fagerstrom K, et al. Smoking cessation among patients with head and neck cancer: cancer as a ‘teachable moment’. Eur J Cancer Care. 2008;17:114–119
  65. Duffy SA, Khan MJ, Ronis DL, et al. Health behaviors of head and neck cancer patients the first year after diagnosis. Head Neck. 2008;30:93–102
  66. Do KA, Johnson MM, Doherty DA, et al. Second primary tumors in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancers: joint effects of smoking and alcohol (United States). Cancer Causes Control. 2003;14:131–138
  67. Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service; 2000;
  68. Stajduhar KI, Davies B. Variations in and factors influencing family members’ decisions for palliative home care. Palliat Med. 2005;19:21–32
  69. Goldstein NE, Concato J, Fried TR, et al. Factors associated with caregiver burden among caregivers of terminally ill patients with cancer. J Palliat Care. 2004;20:38–43
  70. Winterling J, Wasteson E, Glimelius B, et al. Substantial changes in life: perceptions in patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer and their spouses. Cancer Nurs. 2004;27:381–388
  71. Braun M, Mikulincer M, Rydall A, et al. Hidden morbidity in cancer: spouse caregivers. J Clin Onc. 2007;25:4829–4834
  72. Cameron JI, Franche RL, Cheung AM, et al. Lifestyle interference and emotional distress in family caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Cancer. 2002;94:521–527
  73. Dumont S, Turgeon J, Allard P, et al. Caring for a loved one with advanced cancer: determinants of psychological distress in family caregivers. J Palliat Med. 2006;9:912–921
  74. Kim Y, Baker F, Spillers RL, et al. Psychological adjustment of cancer caregivers with multiple roles. Psychooncology. 2006;15:795–804
  75. Payne S, Smith P, Dean S. Identifying the concerns of informal carers in palliative care. Palliat Med. 1999;13:37–44
  76. Schulz R, Beach SR. Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: the Caregiver Health Effects study. J Am Med Assoc. 1999;282:2215–2219
  77. Emanual EJ, Fairclough DL, Slutsman J, et al. Understanding economic and other burdens of terminal illness: the experience of patients and their caregivers. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:451–459
  78. Morris S, Thomas C. The carer's place in the cancer situation: where does the carer stand in the medical setting?. Eur J Cancer Care. 2001;10:87–95
  79. McCorkle R, Pasacreta JV. Enhancing caregiver outcomes in palliative care. Cancer Control. 2001;8:36–45
  80. Penner JL. Experiences of family caregivers of patients with advanced head and neck cancer receiving enteral tube feeding. 2008. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  81. Stajduhar KI. Examining the perspectives of family members involved in the delivery of palliative care at home. J Palliat Care. 2003;19:27–35
  82. Brotherton A, Abbott J, Aggett P. The impact of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding upon daily life in adults. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2006;19:355–367
  83. Larsson M, Hedelin B, Johansson I, et al. Eating problems and weight loss for patients with head and neck cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2003;28:425–435
  84. Liley AJ, Manthorpe J. The impact of home enteral tube feeding in everyday life: a qualitative study. Health Soc Care Community. 2003;11:415–422
  85. Vickery LE, Latchford G, Hewison J, et al. The impact of head and neck cancer and facial disfigurement on the quality of life of patients and their partners. Head Neck. 2003;25:289–296
  86. Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, Eerenstein SE, Van der Linden MH, et al. Distress in spouses and patients after treatment for head and neck cancer. Laryngoscope. 2007;117:238–241
  87. Carter PA, Acton GJ. Personality and coping: predictors of depression and sleep problems among caregivers of individuals who have cancer. J Gerontol Nurs. 2006;Feb;45–53
  88. Grunfeld E, Coyle D, Whelan T, et al. Family caregiver burden: results of a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients and their principal caregivers. Can Med Assoc J. 2004;170:1795–1801
  89. Baghi M, Wagenblast J, Hambek M, et al. Demands on caring relatives of head and neck cancer patients. Laryngoscope. 2007;117:712–716
  90. Semple CJ, Sullivan K, Dunwoody L, et al. Psychosocial interventions for patients with head and neck cancer: past, present and future. Cancer Nurs. 2004;27:434–441
  91. Bramsen I, van der Linden MH, Eskens FJ, et al. Evaluation of a face-to-face psychosocial screening intervention for cancer patients: acceptance and effects on quality of life. Patient Educ Couns. 2008;70:61–68
  92. Mikkelsen T, Sondergaard J, Sokolowski I, et al. Cancer survivors’ rehabilitation needs in a primary health care context. Fam Pract. 2009;26:221–230
  93. Keating N, Fast J, Frederick J, et al. Eldercare in Canada: context, content and consequences. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada: Catalogue no. 89-570-XPE; 1999;
  94. Given BA, Given CW, Kozachik S. Family support in advanced cancer. CA Cacer J Clin. 2001;51:213–231
  95. Harding R, Higginson IJ. What is the best way to help caregivers in cancer and palliative care? A systematic review of interventions and their effectiveness. Palliat Med. 2003;17:63–74
  96. Dietz JH. Rehabilitation of the cancer patient: its role in the scheme of comprehensive care. Clin Bull. 1974;4:104–107
  97. Dietz JH. Rehabilitation Oncology. New York: John Wiley; 1981;
  98. Goldstein NE, Genden E, Morrison RS. Palliative care for patients with head and neck cancer: “I would like a quick return to a normal lifestyle”. JAMA. 2008;299:1818–1825
  99. In:  Doyle D,  Hanks G,  Cherny N,  Calman K editor. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004;

PII: S0749-2081(09)00064-3

doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2009.05.008

Seminars in Oncology Nursing
Volume 25, Issue 3 , Pages 231-241 , August 2009