Body Image Disturbance in Surgically Treated Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study. (12th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Graboyes, Evan M.; Hill, Elizabeth G.; Marsh, Courtney H.; Maurer, Stacey; Day, Terry A.; Sterba, Katherine R.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 161:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2019-03-12
• Subjects: head and neck cancer -- body image -- patient reported outcomes -- survivorship -- disfigurement -- quality of life; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599819835534
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Abstract : This prospective cohort pilot study sought to characterize the short‐term temporal trajectory of, and risk factors for, body image disturbance (BID) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Most patients were male (35/56), had oral cavity cancer (33/56), and underwent microvascular reconstruction (37/56). Using the Body Image Scale (BIS), a validated patient‐reported outcome measure of BID, the prevalence of BID (BIS ≥10) increased from 11% preoperatively to 25% at 1 month postoperatively and 27% at 3 months posttreatment ( P <. 001 and P =. 0014 relative to baseline, respectively). Risk factors for BID included female sex (odds ratio [OR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3‐19.8), pT 3 to 4 tumors (OR, 8.9; 95% CI, 2.0‐63.7), and more severe baseline shame and stigma (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.13), depression (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.51), and social isolation (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.49). The prevalence and severity of BID increase immediately posttreatment. Demographic, oncologic, and psychosocial characteristics identify high‐risk patients for targeted interventions.