American Head & Neck Society

Advancing Education, Research, and Quality of Care for the Head and Neck oncology patient.

  • About
    • Mission Statement and Purpose
    • Divisions & Services of the Society
      • Education
        • Scientific Program/Resident Courses
        • Surgical Videos
        • Journal Club
        • Journals
        • Global Outreach
        • Awards
          • Margaret F. Butler Award
      • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division
      • Patient Care
        • Cancer Survivorship
          • Patient Education on Post-Treatment Care
          • Interviews with Cancer Survivors
        • Cancer Prevention
          • SLIDE DECK: HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer
        • Guidelines/Position Statements
        • Find-A-Physician
      • Research
        • Grant Information
        • Clinical Trial
        • Tissue Banks
      • Administrative Division
        • AHNS Process for Evaluating Projects Requiring Funding
    • Leadership
    • History
      • Society Background
      • AHNS History Interviews
      • Past Presidents
      • In Memory
    • AHNS Newsletter
    • Professionalism & Ethics
    • AHNS Policies and Procedures (P&P) Manual
    • AHNS Foundation
    • AHNS Bylaws
    • AHNS Staff
    • AHNS News and Announcements
    • COVID-19 Bulletin Board
  • Heads Up!
  • Post a Job
  • Meetings
    • AHNS Virtual Education Series
      • TORS Webinar Series
    • AHNS Meetings Info
    • AHNS Call For Abstracts
    • Past Meetings
    • Related Meetings
  • For Patients
  • For Trainees
    • Fellowship Curriculum for FY2024-2025
      • For Current AHNS Fellows
      • Certificate of Completion Request
    • Accredited Fellowships
      • Directory of Fellowships
      • AHNS Fellowship Match
      • Fellowship Curriculum
      • Fellowship Graduates
      • For Program Directors
    • AHNS Surgical Videos
    • Fellows’ Virtual Tumor Boards
    • Cutaneous Cancer
  • Sections
    • Endocrine Surgery
    • Skull Base Surgery Section
    • Reconstructive Head & Neck Surgery
      • Head and Neck Reconstruction- Information for Patients
    • Mucosal Malignancy Section
      • Mucosal Malignancy Section Patient Information
    • Salivary Gland Section
      • Salivary Gland Section Patient Education Handout: Parotidectomy
    • Cutaneous Cancer
  • Find-A-Physician
  • Member Central
    • Join AHNS
    • Find-A-Physician
    • Mailing List Order
  • Login
    • Password Reset
  • Donate

Body Image Concerns

Evan Graboyes MD, Stacey Maurer PhD, Katherine Sterba PhD, MPH

What is it?

Head and neck cancers impact a highly visible and noticeable area of the body. It is common for survivors to experience changes in body image, or the way that one views themselves. Physical changes after treatment can lead to impaired smiling, swallowing, and speaking which can contribute to concerns about body image. These concerns may be mild or severe; however, these negative perceptions about appearance and/or head and neck-related function and can be associated with depression, isolation, and decreased quality of life.

How common is it among head and neck cancer patients?

Precise estimates of body image concerns in head and neck cancer survivors are not known, however up to 75% of head and neck cancer patients report concerns about body image before and/or after treatment. The importance of body image and its perception varies from one patient to another. The risk of body image concerns is highest in those who have recently finished treatment, although some head and neck cancer survivors may experience body image concerns that last much longer. It is not currently known how body image concerns change over time in long-term head and neck cancer survivors. While most concerns during and immediately after treatment are usually related to survival and function, body image disturbance may play a more significant role in long term survivors and can significantly impact their quality of life. Females, younger patients, patients with depression before cancer, patients undergoing more extensive surgery, and patients with difficulties speaking or swallowing after treatment may be at higher risk of experiencing body image concerns.

What are the signs/symptoms?

Signs and symptoms may vary between patients, but generally include concerns about appearance and distress with head and neck-related function. Appearance concerns may result in personal dissatisfaction with appearance (being self-conscious or embarrassed about the way you look), worry about how others perceive your appearance (getting upset when others make comments about the way you look), or attempts to conceal signs of your head and neck cancer (covering your neck with a scarf). Functional impairments may include embarrassment about eating in front of others, concerns about drooling, or frustration that others cannot understand what you are saying. Body image concerns can lead to patients becoming isolated and avoiding social situations such as going to church, the grocery store, or seeing friends and family. They may also impact the ability to return to work and subsequent financial distress experienced by head and neck cancer survivors.

How is it diagnosed?

Your medical providers may ask questions to help identify your specific body image concerns. Your providers may also use questionnaires which ask about common body image concerns of patients with head and neck cancer. Because body image concerns are highly personal, it is important that you share your experience with your medical team. Objective measures of disfigurement may not be effective in understanding your experience. Formal evaluation by a trained psychologist or psychiatrist may also be helpful to make the diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Many treatments to address body image concerns in head and neck cancer survivors are currently being studied. There is some evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered by a trained psychologist or counselor, may be effective. Other studies examining ways to cover or hide affected areas of the head and neck have not been shown to be effective. Management may involve referral to other members of your head and neck cancer care team with expertise in evaluating and treating body image concerns. Optimizing function with speech therapy and physical therapy may also impact the perception of body image. Additional reconstructive surgery may be possible and may have a major impact on body image. It is very important that you discuss this with your team of providers. Participation in national head and neck cancer survivorship or support groups may also be an important part of treatment for some patients.

When should I call my doctor?

If you have been experiencing some of the symptoms listed (or experiencing similar types of concerns), you should talk to your healthcare provider and ask for help. If you are unsure, talk to your healthcare team as they may be able to provide you with additional information about how to manage these concerns. They may be able to identify whether body image concerns from head and neck cancer are affecting you, make the appropriate referrals, and offer treatment if necessary.

NEED URGENT HELP? If you have feelings of harming yourself or others, or if you need immediate help, please call 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Where can I learn more?

https://headandneckcancerguide.org/adults/the-emotional-journey/living-with-a-disfigurement/

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/self-image

https://www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/emotional-and-physical-effects-of-treatment/body-image

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

News and Announcements

  • AHNS YMCP Episode 11 – Melina Windon, MD, Janice Farlow, MD, Eric Gantwerker, MD May 8, 2025
  • Artificial Intelligence in Management of H&N Cancer: New Horizons Presented April 28, 2025
  • A conversation with Dr. Uppaluri: Neoadjuvant Therapy for Advanced H&N Mucosal April 25, 2025
  • The End of April Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month Approaches! April 23, 2025
  • April is National CBD Awareness Month! April 21, 2025

AHNS Meetings and Events

AHNS 2025 Annual Meeting
Held during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM)

May 14-18, 2025
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

learn more...

Contact Us

AHNS, 11300 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064
ph: (310) 437-0559 / fx: (310) 437-0585
[email protected]

Welcome to the AHNS Virtual Repository of Scientific Research

Sections

  • Virtual Repository of Scientific Resources
  • Cell Lines Browse and Search
  • Omics Browse and Search
  • Patient Derived Xenografts Browse and Search
  • Plasmids Browse and Search
  • Pre-Clinical Models Browse and Search
  • Transferable Expertise Browse and Search
  • Transgenic Mice Browse and Search

© 2002–2025 American Head and Neck Society · Privacy and Return Policy
· Managed by BSC Management, Inc