Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37670339›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2023

Patients' experiences of adverse symptoms, emotions, and coping strategies in connection to treatment of head and neck cancer - an interview study.

Ellie Saghafi, Charlotte Andrén Andås, Jenny Bernson, Göran Kjeller

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC oral health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.5field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in patients with oral cancer during surgical hospitalization: insights from a qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  4. Multidomain predictors of long-term work disability in late survivorship after head and neck cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. A longitudinal observational study of demoralization within 6 months following cancer diagnosis: a cross-lagged panel network analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Observational
  7. Article
  8. How do patients with head and neck cancer and low skeletal muscle mass experience cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy? A qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  9. Postradiation trismus in head and neck cancer survivors: a qualitative study of effects on life, rehabilitation, used coping strategies and support from the healthcare system.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2024
    Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Ellie SaghafiDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 12A, Gothenburg, 413 90, Sweden. ellie.saghafi@gu.se.
Charlotte Andrén AndåsDepartment of Orofacial Pain, Region Västra Götaland, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Jenny BernsonDepartment of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Göran KjellerDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 12A, Gothenburg, 413 90, Sweden.
University of Gothenburg · SE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study aimed to increase the understanding of emotions and coping strategies used by head and neck cancer patients before cancer treatment, and to explore their emotions and coping strategies in relation to symptoms and side effects after treatment. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the patients' perceptions of received treatment and support.

methodsSemi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 patients who had been treated for head and neck cancer, which included radiotherapy, at the Department of Oncology and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. The interviews were analyzed in accordance with the method for Qualitative Content Analysis.

resultsThe result picture revealed three head themes. The first theme "Management of simultaneously influencing mind-sets before cancer treatment" described the patients experiences of feeling "Scared and worried," "Lonely and disappointed," and "Relieved and confident", and how they tried to handle the diagnosis and preparations for treatment by "Applying a positive mind-set", "Searching for support," and "Trusting the healthcare system". The second theme "Experiences of becoming a pale shadow of oneself", illustrated experiences of affecting post-treatment symptoms and side effects. To which, the last theme "Handling contextual influencing experiences after cancer treatment" displayed post-treatment emotions of being "Shocked and disappointed" and "Concerned and unsupported" but also "Grateful and forward-thinking", where strategies such as "Appreciating Life", "Networking socially," and "Adapting to the new life" were used.

conclusionsThe results indicated the need for a more patient-centered care approach, with clearer structures and improved individual support both before and after treatment and in connection to rehabilitation. Patients' cognitive changes after cancer treatment should be considered in the aftercare, which should also include adaptation to situation and strengthening of patients' self-management as a goal.

Indexed as

EmotionsHead and Neck NeoplasmsAdaptation, PsychologicalHospitals, UniversityHumansQualitative ResearchHead and neck neoplasmsQualitative researchRadiotherapySymptoms

Identifiers

PMID37670339
PMCPMC10478420
OpenAlexW4386458154

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.