Effectiveness of early palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early palliative care (EPC) benefits some cancers, but its clinical outcomes differ depending on patients' racial and ethnic disparities, and customs. To determine whether EPC improves symptoms, emotional distress, and quality of life among Taiwanese patients with early or advanced-stage head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Based on participants' pathological stages, they were categorized as having early and advanced-stage HNC. Those willing and unwilling to undergo EPC were assigned to the EPC and standard groups, respectively. Their daily cancer-related symptoms were assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), whose scores' concurrent validity was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of C

SUBMITTER: Chen TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12718857 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature