Morbidity of the neck after head and neck cancer therapy

Background. Studies on morbidity of the neck after head and neck cancer therapy are scarcely described. Methods. Patients who underwent surgery, including neck dissection, with and without radiation therapy at least 1 year before the study were asked to participate. We assessed neck pain, loss of se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Head & neck 2004-09, Vol.26 (9), p.785-791
Main Authors: van Wilgen, C. Paul, Dijkstra, Pieter U., van der Laan, Berend F. A. M., Plukker, John T., Roodenburg, Jan L. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Atlanto-Occipital Joint - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Follow-Up Studies
head and neck cancer
Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery
Humans
Hypesthesia - etiology
loss of sensation
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
neck dissection
Neck Dissection - adverse effects
neck pain
Neck Pain - etiology
Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous)
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
range of motion
Range of Motion, Articular
Shoulder Pain - etiology
Tumors
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Summary:Background. Studies on morbidity of the neck after head and neck cancer therapy are scarcely described. Methods. Patients who underwent surgery, including neck dissection, with and without radiation therapy at least 1 year before the study were asked to participate. We assessed neck pain, loss of sensation, range of motion of the cervical spine, and shoulder pain. Results. Of the 220 patients who were invited, 153 (70%) participated in the study. Neck pain was present in 33% of the patients (n = 51), and shoulder pain was present in 37% of the patients (n = 57). Neuropathic pain of the neck was present in 32% (n = 49); myofascial pain, in 46% (n = 70); and joint pain, in 24% (n = 37). Loss of sensation of the neck was present in 65% (n = 99) and was related to type of neck dissection and radiation therapy. Range of motion of the neck was significantly decreased because of the neck dissection and/or radiation therapy in lateral flexion away from the operated side. Conclusions. The occurrences of morbidity of the neck after cancer therapy were considerable and consisted of neck pain, loss of sensation, and decreased range of motion. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 785–791, 2004
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.20008