We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Survival of patients with palliative head and neck cancer.
- Authors
Ledeboer, Quirine C. P.; van der Schroeff, Marc P.; Pruyn, Jean F. A.; de Boer, Maarten F.; Baatenburg de Jong, Robert J.; van der Velden, Lilly-Ann
- Abstract
Background. The purpose of this study was to describe patient characteristics and prognostic factors for survival in the palliative stage of patients with head and neck cancer. Methods. Since November 2003, all patients with palliative head and neck cancer treated in our hospital have been recorded in a central database. In total, 262 deceased patients were included in this retrospective study. Results. The reasons for palliation were inoperability, distant metastases, refusal of curative treatment, or poor condition. The mean palliative phase lasted 5.3 months for patients with squamous cell carcinomas. Involvement of a specialized nurse was significantly related with the number of admissions and place of dying. Multivariate analysis showed comorbidity and treatment to be independent predictors of survival in the palliative phase. Conclusion. Comorbidity and palliative interventions are possible prognostic factors for survival. The involvement of a specialized nurse might be associated with an improved quality of life.
- Subjects
HEAD &; neck cancer; CANCER patients; TUMORS; PROGNOSTIC tests; PROGNOSIS
- Publication
Head & Neck, 2011, Vol 33, Issue 7, p1021
- ISSN
1043-3074
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/hed.21572