Evaluation of Psychological Morbidity in Laryngectomy patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological Evaluation of Patients that have undergone Total Laryngectomy using the DAS-24 tool
IRAS ID
269635
Contact name
Ekpemi Irune
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Head and neck cancer is the 8th most common malignancy in the UK, accounting for 3% of all new cancer cases. A Total Laryngectomy (TL) is a complex, radical surgery performed either as primary treatment for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy, or as salvage management of residual or recurrent disease after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A TL is associated with significant physical and functional changes. Following surgery, patients have a long recovery and rehabilitative process, with intense multidisciplinary team input. The loss of natural voice, the stigma of a permanent stoma, changes in swallowing, fear of recurrence and coping with the disfigurement of head and neck surgery are challenges that laryngectomy patients face on a daily basis. These have a profound psychological, social and emotional impact on patients, ultimately influencing their quality of life. TL patients have been shown to have higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to the general population. Alcohol and nicotine dependence is also common in this patient group. Facial disfigurement can be highly distressing and is a primary treatment concern for many patients. Despite this, evidence suggests that physical appearance is an area that tends to be ignored, as physicians tend to prioritise functional problems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological morbidity, appearance and quality of life perceptions in cancer patients following TL. This will allow us to better appreciate our patients’ care needs and hence improve our standards of care and service provision. In order to achieve this, we aim to collect data from all alive patients who have undergone a TL for treatment of underlying malignancy at Cambridge University Hospitals. These patients will be contacted via post and asked to complete two validated questionnaires: The University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) and the Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS) - 24.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0011
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion