Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers seen in India which accounts for about 30% of all type cancers, with ranking as the top most among male. Due to advancements in diagnostic and treatment modalities, the survivorship of oral cancer patients has increased significantly during the last decade. Yet, the treatment of cancer accompanies symptom burden and psychosocial problems that impacts the quality of life of the patients. Aim: To assess the symptom burden among oral cancer patients during and post cancer treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to assess the symptom burden of 100 oral cancer patients (age range= 18-65 years, mean age=49.76) from a regional cancer institute (WIA), Chennai, India. Among them, 59 patients were under treatment and 41 had completed the treatment. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and QLQ-H & N 35 module were used. The dependent t-test was used to compare two groups and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between symptoms and demographic variables. Results: Significant difference was observed in the levels of pain and insomnia on symptoms scale of QLQ-C 30 between patients receiving and completed treatment ( P < 0.05). Similarly, pain score on QLQ-HN 35 differed significantly between the patients on and after treatment ( P < 0.05). In the QLQ-HN 35 module, dry mouth, opening mouth, sticky saliva, pain and tooth problems ranked as most worsening symptoms among oral cancer patients. However, in the QLQ-C 30, financial difficulties, fatigue and pain were ranked as the most worsening symptoms among oral cancer patients. Scores were significantly associated with a number of demographic variables such as age, gender, education, disease stage, time since diagnosis and treatment ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Oral cancer patients experience numerous worsening symptoms during as well as, posttreatment. This study emphasis the importance of assessing the symptom burden of the patients throughout the course of and completion of treatment as effective management could be implemented.
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