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The diagnosis of cancer affects not only the lives of patients, but also the lives of their family members. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of oral cancer on quality of life (QoL), psychological distress and marital satisfaction in a sample of patients and their wives. Thirty-one men treated for oral cancer (mean time since diagnosis 3.7 years) and their female partners ( n = 31) were assessed by questionnaires with regard to QoL (WHOQOL-BREF), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), quality of relationship (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, DAS) and physical complaints (EORTC QOL-H&N35). Quality of life was remarkably high in patients and their partners. In patients, lower QoL was associated with more physical complaints and higher levels of psychological distress (HADS), whereas in wives, QoL was found to be related to marital quality (DAS) and levels of distress. In couples with highly discrepant ratings of marital satisfaction, wives reported more psychological distress. The findings indicate that overall QoL is considerably high in patients treated for oral cancer and their partners living in stable relationships. Quality of life correlates stronger with the quality of relationship in spouses than in patients. Generally, marital satisfaction appears to be an important moderating factor regarding QoL and psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To report the treatment of a recurrent adenoid-cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland required orbital exenteration with an en bloc resection of the lateral orbital rim and wall and an anterior portion of the temporal muscle. Reconstruction was planned with both the objectives of a shortened healing time for faster epithetic reconstruction and no visible scars. Method: After a cranially extended temporal approach, the dissection of the superficial galea layer was connected with the subcutaneous dissection of the upper and lower eyelid after subciliary incisions. Results: Ample exposure of the temporal, frontal and orbital region was obtained, facilitating the orbital exenteration with en bloc resection of the lateral orbital rim and wall and the anterior portion of the temporal muscle. The epithelialization of the eye socket covered with the galea fascia flap was accelerated, providing faster epithetic reconstruction, without visible scars. Conclusions: Healing time is accelerated, providing faster epithetic rehabilitation without visible scars, which is important in the postoperative rehabilitation ladder after eye exenteration for both patient and surgeon. Further more ablative surgery within this region gets safer and easier due to the ample exposure of this innovated surgical technique. Further evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of this new approach is advisable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]