Validation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 in patients with laryngeal cancer after surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to test the validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core Module (QLQ-C30) and Head and Neck Module (QLQ-H&N35) for patients who have undergone surgery due to laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A total of 323 patients from 6 different centers in Germany who had been operated on completed the QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-H&N35 in addition to being surveyed in a personal interview.

Results: Multitrait scaling analysis confirmed the proposed scale structure of both questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha of the QLQ-C30 scales ranged from 0.64 (Cognitive Functioning) to 0.94 (Global Health Status); the alpha of the QLQ-H&N35 ranged from 0.55 (Speech) to 0.90 (Sexuality). Known-groups comparisons showed multiple differences in sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the QLQ-H&N35, in conjunction with the QLQ-C30, is a reliable instrument that is able to differentiate between diverse groups of patients with laryngeal cancer after surgery.