Abstract
BackgroundOral cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer in Taiwan in terms of incidence and death rate and results in at least 2700 deaths each year.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to assess the postoperative health-related quality of life (QOL) and care needs of oral cancer patients comprehensively and to evaluate the correlation between health-related QOL and care needs.Interventions/MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled 126 oral cancer patients who had received surgical treatment within the previous 2 years and were without cognitive impairment. Each patient completed a demographic questionnaire, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Quality of Life Scale, and the Short-Form Cancer Needs Questionnaire.ResultsFemale patients and patients receiving 3 or more chemotherapy treatments were significantly associated with increased Short-Form Cancer Needs Questionnaire scores (higher level of care needs) (β = 0.177 and 28.49, both P < .05) and patients receiving 3 or more chemotherapy treatments were significantly associated with increased Head and Neck Cancer Quality of Life Scale scores (higher level of symptoms and problems) (β = 27.77, P = .007). Results of stepwise multiple linear regression analysis indicated that 4 oral cancer–related symptoms and problems, “trouble with social contacts,” “swallowing problems,” “teeth problems,” and “feeling ill,” were significantly associated with higher care needs in oral cancer patients (all P ≤ .05).ConclusionA significant correlation exists between health-related QOL and care needs.Implications for PracticeUsing a valid health-related QOL scale may help nurses determine their perceived physical and psychological care needs.
Highlights
Oral cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer in Taiwan in terms of incidence and death rate and results in at least 2700 deaths each year
This study aimed to assess health-related QOL (HRQOL) and care needs of postoperative oral cancer patients comprehensively, to identify factors that may be associated with HRQOL and care needs, and to evaluate the correlation between HRQOL and care needs
Results indicated that female patients and patients receiving 3 or more treatments of chemotherapy were associated with increased care needs according to increased Short-Form Cancer Needs Questionnaire (CNQ-SF) scores (β = 0.177, and 28.49; both P < .05), and patients receiving 3 or more treatments of chemotherapy were associated with quality of life (QOL) according to increased QLQ-H&N35 scores (β = 27.77, P = .007) (Table 4)
Summary
Oral cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer in Taiwan in terms of incidence and death rate and results in at least 2700 deaths each year. By removing the primary tumor and neck lymph nodes at the same time, this approach can prevent distant metastasis from the buccal or lingual lymph nodes of the neck This surgery may impair the function and appearance of a patient's face, neck, or mandible, which negatively affects the patient's postoperative body image and ability to open the mouth, swallow, chew, and talk.[5,6,7,8,9,10] Patients' quality of life (QOL) will usually deteriorate significantly with surgical treatment. This study aimed to assess HRQOL and care needs of postoperative oral cancer patients comprehensively, to identify factors that may be associated with HRQOL and care needs, and to evaluate the correlation between HRQOL and care needs
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