Prioritizing treatment outcomes: head and neck cancer patients versus nonpatients.

Background: Treatment decisions in head and neck cancer (HNC) might involve consideration of uncertain tradeoffs of one late effect against another or increasing toxicity or residual impairment for increased chance of survival. Understanding how patients prioritize potential outcomes, as well as whether these preferences are similar to those of nonpatients, is important to informed decision making and treatment planning.

Methods: Two hundred forty-seven newly diagnosed HNC patients from nine institutions and 131 nonpatients rank ordered a set of 12 potential treatment outcomes (eg, cure; being able to swallow; normal voice) from highest (1) to lowest (12).

Mental illness stigma as a barrier to psychosocial services for cancer patients.

Empirically validated psychosocial interventions have been shown to improve adjustment and coping among cancer patients. Therefore, an emerging standard of practice is to integrate supportive services for cancer patients into the medical management of the disease. However, unanticipated barriers may negatively influence receptivity to psychosocial services.

An exploration of the pretreatment coping strategies of patients with carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: Patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNC) often face exhaustive and debilitating treatment as well as physical and functional residual effects, such as disfigurement, compromised speech, dry mouth, and difficulties swallowing. Understanding how patients cope with these challenges is important in comprehensive care of patients with HNC.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients with HNC were assessed for quality of life (QOL) and coping strategy.