Routine follow-up care for head and neck cancer after curative treatment: A 3-year experience of measuring patients' self-reported needs, preferences, quality of life and attitudes towards follow-up

Objective: To evaluate and describe attitudes, quality of life (Qol), needs and preferences of patients with head and neck cancer after 3 years of follow-up care.

Methods: This is an exploratory prospective study of recurrence-free patients. Survey results were compared between 1-, 2- and 3-year post-treatment and by disease characteristics.

Results: A total of 116 patients were included with 46% oropharyngeal cancer, 66% early stage disease and 41% having had surgery. After 3 years, most patients reported good to excellent health (88%), however expressed uncertainty regarding recurrence (66%), multiple needs (information on prognosis 91%, long-term sequalae 72%) and wanted to continue with follow-up (96%). Few changes were observed over time, with exceptions. Patients with more advanced disease, oral cancer or who had surgery experienced declining Qol (p < 0.050). Women experienced improvements in Qol domains (pain p = 0.028, speech p = 0.009) over time. Attitudes towards communication with oncologists demonstrated improved patient comfort (p = 0.044) over the 3 years; however, patients' beliefs about their prognosis did not (71% vs. 73% vs. 77% did not believe they were cured, p = 0.581).

Conclusion: Although patients' needs, preferences and attitudes towards follow-up did not change drastically, important needs persist. This work supports identifying individual patient needs and the challenges in addressing prognostic expectations.