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Patient Reported Outcomes in Multidisciplinary Care for High-risk Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Emmy C Cruts1, Myrthe M G Moermans2, Patty J Nelemans3
1Department of Dermatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands. e.cruts@mumc.nl.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Multidisciplinary care for head and neck cancer patients shows high satisfaction and minimal impact on quality of life. However, many patients desire better decision-making support and clearer information regarding prognosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Multidisciplinary care pathways are recognized for potentially enhancing patient care quality.
- Limited understanding exists regarding patient perspectives on multidisciplinary treatment for high-risk head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate health-related quality of life, decisional conflict, and patient satisfaction among individuals with high-risk head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma receiving multidisciplinary care.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 78 patients completed validated questionnaires assessing generic and disease-specific quality of life, decisional conflict, and satisfaction pre- and post-treatment.
- Utilized EuroQoL-5D-5L, Decisional Conflict Scale, Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Quality of Life, and EORTC IN-PATSAT32 instruments.
Main Results:
- Generic health-related quality of life showed a slight, non-significant improvement post-treatment (0.76 to 0.81).
- Disease-specific quality of life remained minimally impacted, with Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Quality of Life scores ranging from 0.46 to 1.05.
- Significant patient concerns included prognosis (73.7%) and diagnosis/treatment (12%), with 19.2% experiencing decisional conflict above a clinically relevant threshold.
- Overall patient satisfaction with care was high, though approximately one-third desired enhanced decision-making support.
Conclusions:
- Multidisciplinary care for high-risk head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is associated with high patient satisfaction and minimal adverse effects on quality of life.
- A notable proportion of patients require improved informational support and value clarification to navigate treatment decisions effectively.
- Further research should focus on optimizing shared decision-making processes within multidisciplinary cancer care settings.
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