Experiences of xerostomia after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer: A qualitative study

Journal of Clinical Nursing
Nan JiangJan Mårtensson

Abstract

To describe the experiences of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. Xerostomia is the most commonly occurring complication during and following radiotherapy. It can persist for several months or years and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. This was a qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 participants. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Analysis of the manifest content identified five categories: communication problems, physical problems, psychosocial problems, treatment problems and relief strategies. The latent content was formulated into a theme: due to lack of information from professionals, the patients had to find their own solutions for their problems. Xerostomia is not only a biophysical symptom but also has a profound effect on the emotional, intellectual and sociocultural dimensions of life. The majority of patients continued to suffer from xerostomia and its associated symptoms after radiotherapy, in part, because of a lack of professional support, including the inability of nurses to provide oral health care. Nurses need to be knowledgeable about the effects of radiotherapy ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 19, 2017·Oncology Nursing Forum·Ingeborg C van der MeulenWynand J G Ros
Apr 9, 2020·Frontiers in Oncology·Miren TabernaRicard Mesía
Jul 10, 2020·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Joanne S HiattJudith Bauer
Feb 13, 2021·European Journal of Oncology Nursing : the Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society·Kristina Rosengren, Ingalill Koinberg
Mar 2, 2021·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Mark DornanEilís McCaughan

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