[The quality of life after the surgery of laryngeal or hypopharynx neoplasms].

UNLABELLED: The number of diagnosed instances of larynx and laryngopharynx cancer is systematically increasing in Poland, especially in men. Advanced stage of the primary tumour and metastases to the lymph nodes result in the necessity of total laryngectomy. Serious disease, disability connected with extensive surgery and uncertain prognosis influence further professional career and personal relationships of the patients. The aim of this paper is to assess the life of patients after surgery for larynx or laryngopharynx cancer.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The analysis involved 92 patients after total laryngectomy due to squamous cell carcinoma. A significant majority of the patients (59%) judged their lifestyle before surgery as reprehensible. They attributed it to alcohol abuse (95%), heavy smoking (94%), exposure to harmful environmental conditions (73%) and to harmful conditions at workplace (51%).

RESULTS

After treatment, which was accepted by over 95% of the patients, many of them quit using alcohol (57%) and quit smoking (75%). Because of serious health condition and difficult economic situation, only a few of them decided to change their working or living conditions. 46% of patients judged that after undergoing complete treatment, the quality of their life deteriorated. However, their awareness of the health-threatening factors grew.

CONCLUSIONS

Total laryngectomy in patients with larynx and laryngopharynx cancer deteriorates quality and working or living conditions. The disease causes patients' criticism of their lifestyle before operation. Only 16% of treated did not changed life style after larygectomy.