Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39325349›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

Patient-reported outcome measures and physical function following head and neck lymphedema - a systematic review.

Katrina Gaitatzis, Belinda Thompson, Fiona Tisdall Blake, Louise Koelmeyer

Erratum issuedAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Beyond feasibility: the case for lymphoedema-stratified rehabilitation trials in head and neck cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Katrina GaitatzisAustralian Lymphedema Education, Research & Treatment (ALERT) Program, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Katrina.gaitatzis@mq.edu.au.
Belinda ThompsonAustralian Lymphedema Education, Research & Treatment (ALERT) Program, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Fiona Tisdall BlakeAustralian Lymphedema Education, Research & Treatment (ALERT) Program, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Louise KoelmeyerAustralian Lymphedema Education, Research & Treatment (ALERT) Program, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatments often lead to significant morbidity, including lymphedema. This systematic review aims to comprehensively explore the prevalence and impact of head and neck lymphedema (HNL) following treatment.

methodsA systematic literature search was conducted up to September 2023. Studies evaluating HNL prevalence, associated factors, impact, patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), and physical assessments were included. Methodological quality assessment was performed, and data were synthesised narratively.

resultsTwelve studies met the inclusion criteria, with methodological quality ranging from moderate to high. Internal lymphedema prevalence was consistently higher than external lymphedema, with varying rates attributed to treatment modalities and assessment methods. PROMs such as the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress-Head and Neck and physical assessments including Patterson's Rating Scale were commonly utilised. HNL significantly impacted quality of life and physical function, with reported symptoms including discomfort, tightness, swallowing difficulties, and psychological distress.

conclusionHNL is a common sequela of HNC treatment with significant implications for individuals' QoL. Standardised assessment protocols and tailored interventions are needed to address the needs of individuals with HNL and improve overall outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This systematic review highlights a significant prevalence of lymphedema, particularly internal lymphedema in the larynx and pharynx, following treatment. Swallowing difficulties, nutritional issues, anxiety, depression, and body image concerns were associated with both internal and external lymphedema. The impact on quality of life is substantial, with survivors experiencing physical symptoms and psychosocial challenges, emphasising the importance of integrated care approaches tailored to both aspects of well-being.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsHead and Neck NeoplasmsLymphedemaPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresQuality of LifeHumansPrevalenceHead and neck cancerLymphedemaPatient-reported outcomesPhysical assessmentsQuality of lifeSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID39325349
PMCPMC12989013

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.