Quality of life of nasopharyngeal cancer survivors in China.

J.S Hong,Q.Y Ni,J Tian,Q.F Han

doi:10.3747/co.22.2323

Abstract

We assessed the quality of life (qol) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (npc) survivors with a survival time of more than 2 years in Fujian, China, and we analyzed factors influencing qol. We calculated the prevalence of psychological distress and radiotherapy (rt)-induced symptoms in 216 npc survivors who participated in a cross-sectional survey. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (version 3.0) was used to assess the qol of npc survivors. Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the factors influencing qol. The prevalence rates of rt-induced symptoms and psychological problems were 11.58% (95% ci: 7.21% to 15.58%) for difficulty in swallowing, 17.59% (95% ci: 12.51% to 22.67%) for mouth dryness or sores, 13.89% (95% ci: 9.28% to 18.50%) for nasal dryness or congestion, 18.52% (95% ci: 13.34% to 23.70%) for fatigue, 11.11% (95% ci: 6.92% to 15.30%) for frequent dizziness, 18.06% (95% ci: 12.93% to 23.19%) for decline in hearing, 14.81% (95% ci: 10.07% to 19.55%) for poor sleep quality, 18.52% (95% ci: 13.34% to 23.70%) for worry about disease recurrence, 18.98% (95% ci: 13.75% to 24.21%) for anxiety, and 25.00% (95% ci: 19.23% to 30.77%) for depression. Mean survival times were 4.32 ± 2.63 years in patients with mouth dryness or sores, 4.26 ± 2.90 years in patients with fatigue, and 5.60 ± 2.94 years in patients with a decline in hearing. The mean global qol score was 74.21 (95% ci: 72.22 to 76.20). At a significance level of α = 0.05, the factors influencing qol were age (p = 0.032), education level (p = 0.001), anxiety score (p < 0.001), depression score (p < 0.001), mouth dryness or sores (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.027), and disease stage (p = 0.044). The prevalence rates of mouth dryness or sores, fatigue, decline in hearing, depression, and anxiety were high in npc survivors with a survival time of more than 2 years. These rt-induced symptoms and psychological problems can last for many years after rt. The qol of the npc survivors was good. Factors influencing qol were age, education level, anxiety, depression, mouth dryness or sores, fatigue, and disease stage. Our results suggest that during clinical treatment, doctors should minimize the radiation dose to the ears of patients. In addition, our results emphasize the importance of providing oral and ear nursing and psychological care to npc survivors.

Highlights

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common cancer in southern China and accounts for 1.58% of new cancer cases yearly[1]
The prevalence rates of mouth dryness or sores, fatigue, decline in hearing, depression, and anxiety were high in npc survivors with a survival time of more than 2 years
Our results suggest that during clinical treatment, doctors should minimize the radiation dose to the ears of patients

Summary

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (npc) is a common cancer in southern China and accounts for 1.58% of new cancer cases yearly[1]. Fujian Province has a high incidence of npc; the reported crude incidence of npc ranged from 15 to 30 per 100,000 during 2003–20072. Improvements in diagnosis and treatment have greatly increased the survival rate for npc patients[3,4], and the 5-year rate is about 70% in Fujian[4,5]. The 5-year survival rate for patients with early-stage npc is as high as 93%–100%6. The number of long-term npc survivors is increasing significantly and gradually forming a large special population[7]. Well-being and improvement in quality of life (qol) for this population are important concerns in cancer nursing and health care

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion