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Palliative intent treatment for head and neck cancer: an analysis of practice and outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2019

F D Begbie ,
C M Douglas ,
F Finlay  and
J Montgomery
F D Begbie*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
C M Douglas
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
F Finlay
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
J Montgomery
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Finn D Begbie, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, Scotland, UK E-mail: finn.begbie@nhs.net
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Abstract

Background

There is little consensus on how best to manage head and neck cancer with palliative intent. Predicting outcome is difficult and reported survival varies. The present study sought to delineate local practice and outcomes in patients treated with palliative intent.

Methods

The clinical records of all head and neck cancer patients treated with palliative intent presenting between 2015 and 2016 to our multidisciplinary team were reviewed.

Results

Eighty-four patients (21.5 per cent) were treated with palliative intent. All had squamous cell carcinoma. Mean survival time was 151 days (standard deviation = 121.1; range, 8–536 days). Of the patients, 83.3 per cent had a palliative care referral; 74.1 per cent had a hospice referral. Patients received a variety of interventions, and there was an associated complication in 8.2 per cent. The mean number of days spent in hospital for interventions was 11.9 days (standard deviation = 12.5; range, 0–41 days).

Conclusion

Different interventions are used to manage head and neck cancer patients with palliative intent, and these may be associated with significant morbidity. Survival time is variable, often several months; thus, any treatment must take into account morbidity in conjunction with the patient's wishes.

Keywords

Palliative CareHead And Neck NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Squamous CellPrognosis
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 4 , April 2019 , pp. 313 - 317
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Mr F D Begbie takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented orally at the ENT Scotland Winter Meeting, 10 November 2017, Stirling, Scotland, UK, and as a poster at the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference, 20 September 2017, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

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