Efficacy of a course "Living with head and neck cancer" in patients with head and neck cancer and their spouses

In the Netherlands approximately 2500 patients are diagnosed with primary head
and neck cancer (HNC) every year. HNC patients have to deal with severe side
effects of treatment: in addition to complaints as pain and fatigue and fear
for tumour recurrence, patients are often confronted with changes in facial
appearance, speech or swallowing problems and related psychological distress.
A recent study at our Department revealed that approximately 30% of the
patients and 20% of their spouses have clinical levels of distress and
adaptation problems after treatment. Psychosocial intervention has proved to be
beneficial in patients treated for cancer at various sites. Evidence on the
efficacy of intervention in HNC patients is limited. Information on the
efficacy of intervention in spouses of HNC patients is lacking completely.
Because of the specific problems of head and neck cancer patients and their
spouses, a tailored psychosocial intervention program is needed.

To obtain insight in the usefulness and efficacy of psychosocial intervention
for HNC patients and their spouses by performing a pilot study.

non-randomised prospective pilot study

Psychosocial intervention: a course "Living with head and neck cancer"
6 sessions of 1 1/2 - 2 hours per session.

Patients and spouses will be asked to fill in questionnaires on distress and
health related quality of life. If the intervention proves to be effective,
patients and spouses will benefit immediately by improving their quality of
life.