RATIONALE: Collecting information about the impact of lymphedema on symptoms, functional status, and quality of life after treatment in patients with head and neck cancer may help doctors learn more about the disease and plan the best treatment.

PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the effects of secondary lymphedema on symptoms, functional status, and quality of life after treatment in patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• To examine the association of secondary lymphedema, symptoms, functional status, and quality of life after treatment in patients with head and neck cancer.
• To examine the possible factors contributing to the development of secondary lymphedema in these patients.

OUTLINE: Participants undergo a physical and external (e.g., submental area) and internal (e.g., larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity) lymphedema examination. Demographics, background, and lymphedema treatment information are also collected. Participants' medical records with head and neck cancer information and treatment are reviewed.

Participants complete surveys on Vanderbilt Head and Neck Symptom (VHNSS), Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey Head and Neck (LSIDS-HN), Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Head Neck (FACT-HN), Quality of Life Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Body Image Scale.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosed with head and neck cancer
• At least 3 months since completion of head and neck cancer treatment
• Participating in the Pain and Symptom Management Program at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
• No current evidence of cancer
• No metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• No other active cancer
• Able to understand informed consent

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Adult head and neck cancer survivors