Abstract CN58
Background
Oral cavity cancer is one of the most common cancers of the head and neck. The treatment and its consequences may affect the psychological, physical, social and emotional well-being and quality of life of the patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life in this group of patients.
Methods
This study was part of a larger project on the quality of life among patients treated for oral cancer. It was carried out at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of a large hospital in a major city in Northern Greece. The data was collected using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and a questionnaire involving demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients completed the questionnaire four times: immediately after the diagnosis and before the surgery, three months after the surgery, six months after the surgery and one year after the surgery.
Results
The mean age of the sample was 65.5 ± 13.4 years. The majority of participants were male (62.2%), married/with partner (47.8%) and retired (59.8%). Regarding clinical characteristics, 97.8% of them had undergone lymphadenectomy, 77.8% had selective neck dissection; Most of them had tongue cancer (41.5%) and/or stage IV cancer (52.7%). Comparing the subscales of EORTC-QLQ30 in the aforementioned measurement points, it was found that patients had statistically significant better quality of life one year after surgery. Specifically, significant differences were found in the following: global health status, physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, social functioning, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation and financial difficulties (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The treatment of oral cavity cancer affects the patients’ quality of life. Health care professionals should take these results into account to provide effective care plans to this group of patients.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.