Factors affecting quality of life in patients experiencing facial disfigurement due to surgery for head and neck cancer.

Aim:: to explore the factors affecting quality of life in patients who experience facial disfigurement resulting from surgical treatment for head and neck cancer.

Background:: the number of people diagnosed with head and neck cancers has been rising over the past 30 years. This, combined with the improved survivorship of cancer patients, has led to a need to understand how these patients adapt to the physical, social and emotional toll of cancer and facial disfigurement and how these affect quality of life.

Methodology:: a systematic search of four nursing and psychological-focused databases was undertaken using pertinent keywords.

Findings:: following a thematic analysis, four main themes and one subtheme emerged; changes within the self, social support; social reintegration; and help from healthcare professionals, which had the subtheme of information.

Conclusion:: facial disfigurement has a significant effect on patients' quality of life. Nurses are ideally placed to identify, inform and support patients and their family and friends.