Personal and social identity transformations that occur over time among patients with total laryngectomy
Babin, E.; Edy, E.; Béquignon, A.; Hitier, M.
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 37(4): 495-501
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1916-0216 PMID: 19128582 Document Number: 620819
To examine personal and social identity transformations that occur over time among patients treated for laryngeal carcinoma with total laryngectomy. Patients with laryngectomy and their family underwent interviews by a sociologist and a head and neck surgeon. The diagnosis of cancer fills the patient's mind with images of suffering and death. Their life trajectory is more often a downward spiral. Patients are so stigmatized by the neoplasic illness that they become marginal and live in social isolation. Being laryngectomized completely transforms patients' lives because this surgery induces their topple into the world of the disabled. Total laryngectomy has a negative connotation in our society. Therapists should take this reality into account and intensify their involvement before and especially after surgery.