Engelbrecht, LeanieVan der Merwe, Anita2008-06-112008-06-112007-08Engelbrecht, L & Van der Merwe, A 2007, 'Quality of life after total glosso-laryngectomy', South African Journal of Communication Disorders, vol. 54, pp. 29-38. [http://www.saslha.co.za/default.asp]0379-8046http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5888The article explores the quality of life of two participants who had undergone total glosso-laryngectomy as treatment for advanced tongue base cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and questions relating to the effects of treatment on physical, functional, social and psychological well-being were asked. Thematic analysis of the interviews was done to determine recurring themes in the answers of the participants. The findings showed that total glosso-laryngectomy has a significant impact on the quality of life. A good quality of life can be maintained in a patient who has an extensive support structure and can achieve intelligible oral communication. Pre-operative counselling by a multi-disciplinary team is important for a person to make an informed decision regarding surgery for head and neck cancer. Shared decision making needs to be addressed in the South African service delivery context.2763470 bytesapplication/pdfenSouth African Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationPhysical well-beingFunctional well-beingSocial well-beingEmotional/psychological well-beingGlossectomyQuality of lifeGlossematicsLaryngectomyTongue -- CancerOral communicationPreoperative careCounselingArticle