Larson Alexis, Anna Yangruijue, Sun Zequn, Kingsbury Janine, Stepan Katelyn O, Akthar Adil, Lorch Jochen, Mittal Bharat B, Yadav Poonam, Mierzwa Michelle L, Mady Leila J, Gharzai Laila A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, 251 East Huron Street, Ste LC- 178, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Department of Biostatistics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Support Care Cancer. 2025 Apr 29;33(5):403. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09429-2.
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are at risk for long-term side effects and require thorough survivorship care following completion of radiation therapy (RT). We aimed to identify survivorship interest and needs following RT.
Patients with HNSCC who completed RT from Jan 2013 to April 2023 completed questions based on the five-domain Cancer Survivorship Framework (physical effects, psychosocial effects, cancer screening, chronic conditions, health promotion) and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (interest, knowledge, barriers).
Of 1,123 patients, 317 participated (response rate 28%). Patients were 64% (n = 203) male with a mean age of 64 years (SD 12), with 66% (n = 209) finishing treatment > 2-years prior. 36% (n = 115) were interested in, 34% (n = 108) prioritized, and 28% (n = 88) had information related to survivorship. For survivorship domains, within physical effects, dry mouth (40%, n = 126) and trouble swallowing (24%, n = 75) were most bothersome. For psychosocial, 15% (n = 46) reported current depression (mean PHQ2 score ≥ 3) and 71% (n = 226) felt mental health needs were not addressed during treatment. Forty-two percent felt that diet, exercise, and smoking were not addressed (n = 134). Seventy-six percent (n = 240) understood the importance of cancer screening. Most patients wished to address survivorship topics in one long visit (45%, n = 142) and preferred in-person visits (60%, n = 190). Potential barriers included insurance coverage and scheduling concerns.
In post-RT HNSCC survivors, survivorship interest and knowledge were limited. There is a need for education on survivorship.
These findings provide a foundation for developing robust survivorship care programs that meet the diverse needs of this patient population.
头颈部鳞状细胞癌（HNSCC）患者存在长期副作用风险，放疗（RT）结束后需要全面的生存护理。我们旨在确定放疗后的生存护理兴趣和需求。
2013年1月至2023年4月完成放疗的HNSCC患者根据五领域癌症生存框架（身体影响、心理社会影响、癌症筛查、慢性病、健康促进）和实施研究综合框架（兴趣、知识、障碍）完成问题。
1123例患者中，317例参与（应答率28%）。患者64%（n = 203）为男性，平均年龄64岁（标准差12），66%（n = 209）在2年多前完成治疗。36%（n = 115）感兴趣，34%（n = 108）将其列为优先事项，28%（n = 88）拥有与生存护理相关的信息。对于生存护理领域，在身体影响方面，口干（40%，n = 126）和吞咽困难（24%，n = 75）最令人困扰。在心理社会方面，15%（n = 46）报告目前有抑郁（平均PHQ2评分≥3），71%（n = 226）觉得治疗期间心理健康需求未得到解决。42%觉得饮食、运动和吸烟问题未得到解决（n = 134）。76%（n = 240）了解癌症筛查的重要性。大多数患者希望通过一次长时间就诊来讨论生存护理话题（45%，n = 142），更喜欢面对面就诊（60%，n = 190）。潜在障碍包括保险覆盖范围和就诊安排问题。
在放疗后的HNSCC幸存者中，生存护理兴趣和知识有限。需要开展生存护理教育。
这些发现为制定满足该患者群体多样化需求的强大生存护理计划奠定了基础。
