Long-term quality of life and its predictive factors after oncologic surgery and microvascular reconstruction in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term quality of life (QoL) and to determine its predictive factors after oncologic surgery and free flap reconstruction in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Patients treated at our institution between 2000 and 2009, who are alive and disease-free at least 1 year after therapy, completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire and the specific H&N35 module. Eighty patients were included in our study. Global QoL score was 69.3 ± 22.7%. Global QoL and general symptoms were correlated with T stage, whereas head and neck symptoms were correlated with T stage and tumor involvement of the tongue base. Emotional and social functioning scales, and resumption of professional activity were significantly associated with global QoL. In conclusion, T stage, tumor involvement of the tongue base, professional status and emotional and social functions were the main determinants of QoL in our study.

Long-term functional outcomes and quality of life after oncologic surgery and microvascular reconstruction in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for oral or oropharyngeal cancer with free-flap reconstruction is associated with moderate but persistent functional and quality of life (QoL) problems. Patient age, tumor stage, tumor site, and radiotherapy were the main predictors of functional outcome. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term functional outcomes and QoL, and to determine their predictive factors in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer after oncologic surgery and free-flap reconstruction. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery with free-flap reconstruction for oral or oropharyngeal cancer between 2000 and 2009 who were alive at least 1 year after therapy were included in this study. Patients completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL questionnaires QLQ-C30 and H&N35. Swallowing was evaluated using the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) and by flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included in the study. VHI-10 mean score was 11.2 ± 9 and its predictive factors were T stage (p = 0.005) and tumor involvement of the tongue base (p = 0.01). The mean DOSS score was 4 ± 0.8. Age (p = 0.008), gender (p = 0.04), and radiotherapy (p = 0.001) were the main predictive factors of the DOSS score.