It's a question of endurance - Patients with head and neck cancer experiences of 18F-FDG PET/CT in a fixation mask

•The PET/CT examination in a fixation mask may be strenuous for patients with HNC.•The patients were determined to go through the PET/CT examination no matter what.•Patients used different coping strategies to maintain composure.•Patient information needs to be improved with suggestions for coping behaviours.•The results may be used to improve patient care and optimize examination procedure.

PurposeThis study aimed to explore how patients with head and neck cancer experienced undergoing an 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positrons emissions tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) examination in a fixation mask.MethodInterviews were conducted with nine patients with known or suspected head and neck cancer who were scheduled for the examination for the first time. The phenomenological method according to van Manen and his four lifeworld existentials; lived space, lived body, lived time, and lived relation was used to analyse the interviews.ResultsThe thoughts and feelings of the patients during the PET/CT examination varied, some found it very difficult, while others did not. However, for all the patients, it was an experience that required some form of coping to maintain composure for example distraction.ConclusionsPET/CT examnation in a fixation mask may be strenuous for some patients. Patients need more detailed information, including suggestions for coping behaviours, prior to the examination, as well as higher level of support during and after the examination. The results of this study may be used to improve patient care and optimize the procedure of PET/CT examination in a fixation mask.