TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceived Symptom Experience in Head and Neck Cancer Patients with Lymphedema
AU - Deng, Jie
AU - Ridner, Sheila
AU - Rothman, Russell
AU - Murphy, Barbara
AU - Sherman, Kerry
AU - Moore, Lee
AU - Hall, Kourtney
AU - Weiner, Betsy
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - Background: Lymphedema frequently develops as a long-term effect from cancer and/or its treatment, including head and neck cancer (HNC). There is a substantial lack of understanding regarding the symptoms and experiences related to head and neck lymphedema. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore HNC patients' experiences of lymphedema, with emphasis on physical findings and associated symptom burden. Design: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. A purposive sample of 20 HNC patients who completed lymphedema therapy participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was utilized to assess data. Results: Participants delineated the time when lymphedema onset presented and the sites of involvement. Most participants first noticed external or internal lymphedema/swelling within three months following either surgery or radiation therapy. Participants described a broad array of concurrent symptoms and functional deficits, including altered sensations, altered functions, neck-shoulder musculoskeletal/skin impairments, and psychosocial symptoms. Discussion: HNC patients experienced multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms during the time they experienced lymphedema. Conclusions: Clinicians need to inquire about tissue swelling and associated symptoms early in the post-treatment period to initiate lymphedema management strategies in a timely manner and facilitate reduction of long-term symptom burden and functional deficits.
AB - Background: Lymphedema frequently develops as a long-term effect from cancer and/or its treatment, including head and neck cancer (HNC). There is a substantial lack of understanding regarding the symptoms and experiences related to head and neck lymphedema. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore HNC patients' experiences of lymphedema, with emphasis on physical findings and associated symptom burden. Design: This was a qualitative, descriptive study. A purposive sample of 20 HNC patients who completed lymphedema therapy participated in semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Thematic content analysis was utilized to assess data. Results: Participants delineated the time when lymphedema onset presented and the sites of involvement. Most participants first noticed external or internal lymphedema/swelling within three months following either surgery or radiation therapy. Participants described a broad array of concurrent symptoms and functional deficits, including altered sensations, altered functions, neck-shoulder musculoskeletal/skin impairments, and psychosocial symptoms. Discussion: HNC patients experienced multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms during the time they experienced lymphedema. Conclusions: Clinicians need to inquire about tissue swelling and associated symptoms early in the post-treatment period to initiate lymphedema management strategies in a timely manner and facilitate reduction of long-term symptom burden and functional deficits.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85000809611&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/jpm.2016.0174
DO - 10.1089/jpm.2016.0174
M3 - Article
C2 - 27617837
AN - SCOPUS:85000809611
SN - 1096-6218
VL - 19
SP - 1267
EP - 1274
JO - Journal of Palliative Medicine
JF - Journal of Palliative Medicine
IS - 12
ER -