Abstract

Aim of the studyThe project assessed the quality of life in post-operative patients with tongue cancer at three-month intervals in the first year after the operation.Material and methodsA longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted in the oral and maxillofacial department of a large public general hospital in northern Greece. Fifty-six patients out of a total of 156 with oral cancer were chosen for the study, who completed distinct quality-of-life surveys (EORTC QLQ-C30, and QLQ Head & Neck Module FACT-G).ResultsTumor size correlated negatively with various EORTC QLQ-C30 scores, such as role functioning (p = 0.004) and cognitive functioning (p = 0.007), in the third evaluation. Tumor size correlated positively with subscale problems such as social eating (p = 0.001) and weight loss (p = 0.004) in the QLQ Head & Neck Module. The role functioning subscale (p = 0.003), the pain subscale (p = 0.001), and the speech issues QLQ Head & Neck module subscale (p = 0.003) adversely correlated with cancer stage. Patients who received flap reconstruction significantly differed from those who did not, on the EORTC QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning (U = 139.0, p = 0.006), dyspnea (U = 391.5, p = 0.006), and diarrhea (U = 425.0, p = 0.007) subscales during the third evaluation. Differences were also found in the QLQ-H&N35 subscale of sticky saliva (U = 391.0, p = 0.006).Patients with flap reconstruction did not significantly differ from those with immediate closure after one year. Differences concerned the EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales of cognitive functioning, dyspnea, and diarrhea, and the QLQ Head & Neck Module subscale of sticky saliva on the third assessment. No statistically significant correlations were observed between tumor size and cancer stage in the fourth assessment, but the grade of cancer positively correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 subscale of constipation (p = 0.000).ConclusionsOur study suggests that quality of life is impaired in patients with tongue cancer who have undergone surgical interventions, particularly within the first month post-operation. However, quality of life is fully restored one year after the surgical excision. Future studies should explore early interventions to help healthcare providers better treat this unique group of patients.

Highlights

  • Oral cavity cancer is the most common malignancy in the head and neck region, according to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN)

  • No statistically significant correlations were observed between tumor size and cancer stage in the fourth assessment, but the grade of cancer positively correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 subscale of constipation (p = 0.000)

  • Our study suggests that quality of life is impaired in patients with tongue cancer who have undergone surgical interventions, within the first month post-operation

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Summary

Introduction

Oral cavity cancer is the most common malignancy in the head and neck region, according to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN). By 2030, the global incidence of new oral cavity cancer is predicted to approach 29/100,000 people in men and women of all ages [1]. The most prevalent oral cavity cancer form is the squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, whose prevalence has grown in the last three decades, to 3.0 per 100,000 people but remains more common in senior men than in women or younger people [2]. How to cite this article Palitzika D, Tilaveridis I, Lavdaniti M, et al (February 23, 2022) Quality of Life in Patients With Tongue Cancer After Surgical Treatment: A 12Month Prospective Study.

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