Retrospective Patient Perspectives on Symptom Burden, Emotional Experiences, and Unmet Needs in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective To explore how adults with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) retrospectively described physical symptoms, emotional experiences, and unmet supportive care needs across diagnosis, active treatment, and home recovery in a Chinese tertiary-care setting. Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional qualitative descriptive study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. A purposive sample of 13 patients with pathologically confirmed NPC (7 men and 6 women; aged 28–64 years) was recruited from a tertiary hospital in central China between April and May 2026. Each participant completed one semi-structured, face-to-face interview lasting 30–45 minutes and recalled experiences across diagnosis, active treatment, and home recovery. Recruitment continued until three consecutive interviews yielded no new codes, subthemes, or contextual information. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step procedure with NVivo 15.0. The themes were organized in a Patient Journey Map informed by Corbin and Strauss’s Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework. Results Three themes and nine subthemes described distinct phase-specific experiences. At diagnosis, participants reported misattribution of early symptoms, diagnostic shock, role disruption, and unmet information needs. During active treatment, co-occurring oral mucositis, xerostomia, dysphagia, fatigue, body-image concerns, and reduced access to support at night contributed to substantial distress. During home recovery, persistent symptoms, uncertainty about rehabilitation, difficulty resuming daily roles, and fear of cancer recurrence remained prominent, although some participants also described renewed engagement in valued activities. Conclusion Participants’ retrospective accounts identified phase-specific supportive-care gaps at diagnosis, during active treatment, and after discharge. The findings support structured diagnostic communication, coordinated management of co-occurring symptoms with accessible out-of-hours support, and transitional follow-up that includes rehabilitation guidance and psychological screening. Because the study used one retrospective interview per participant at a single center, the findings should be interpreted as a qualitative synthesis rather than evidence of a longitudinal or quantitative pattern.