Art Therapy with Laryngectomy Patients

Abstract

Approximately 12,500 new cases of laryngeal cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States, many of which require partial or total removal of the larynx (voice box). Psychological factors affecting these patients include anxiety, grief, depression, and altered body image. Due to the nature of surgical treatment which often results in loss of speech, art therapy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic adjunct. Experiences of patients with laryngeal cancer using art therapy have not been previously reported. Treatment results and case material substantiating the distinct role of art therapy in laryngeal patients are described, based on 14 years of experience managing 109 laryngeal cancer patients. An overview of the special medical and therapeutic needs of this group is provided.