Quality of life in oral carcinoma: a 5-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted this prospective longitudinal multicenter study to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with oral carcinoma at diagnosis, and after 1 and 5 years in relation to tumour location and treatment modality. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two patients (mean age, 61; 62% males) with oral carcinoma were evaluated with standardized HRQL questionnaires, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35). RESULTS: Problems with teeth, dry mouth, and sticky saliva got worse between diagnosis and 5 years after diagnosis. Problems with dry mouth remained a problem between 1 and 5 years after diagnosis, except for the patients treated with surgery only. This group had fewer problems over time compared with patients receiving other treatment regimes. Survivors reported better HRQL than the nonsurvivors at diagnosis and at the 1-year follow-up. HRQL at diagnosis was associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: HRQL at diagnosis for patients with oral carcinoma seems to be an important factor for the prognosis of both HRQL over time and survival. Treatment of oral carcinoma often results in long-term side effects such as dry mouth, problems with teeth, and sticky saliva.

Health-related quality of life in patients with pharyngeal carcinoma: a five-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with pharyngeal carcinoma at diagnosis and after 1 and 5 years in relation to tumor location and treatment modality in a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with pharyngeal carcinoma (mean age, 60.0 years; 76% men) were evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35). RESULTS: Problems with dry mouth and teeth became worse between diagnosis and the 5-year follow-up. Problems with thick secretions and teeth increased between 1 and 5 years. The HRQL at diagnosis was associated with survival. Patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma reported better HRQL than patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with pharyngeal carcinoma, the HRQL at diagnosis seems to be an important factor for the prognosis of both HRQL over time and survival. Treatment of pharyngeal carcinoma often results in long-term side effects such as dry mouth, problems with teeth, and thick secretions.

Quality of life and head and neck cancer: a 5 year prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in head and neck cancer patients from diagnosis to 5 years after start of treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, descriptive study METHODS: three hundred fifty-seven patients from Norway and Sweden filled in HRQL questionnaires, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-H and N35, six times during the first year and then after 5 years. At 5 years, 167 (87%) of the 192 living patients filled in questionnaires. RESULTS: Group data: clinical significant improvements in HRQL were not found between 1 and 5 years. Problems with teeth, opening of the mouth, dryness in the mouth, and sticky saliva were persistent or worsening. Similar findings were found regardless of sex, age, stage, or site when clinical significant changes are considered. Patients who died between 1 and 5 years reported reduced HRQL on 15 of 28 scales at 1 year compared with the survivors. Individual data: 40% of patients reported improved global HRQL from diagnosis to 5 years after start of treatment. In addition, 11% had "top scores" at both assessment points. The pattern in global HRQL scores also applies for most of the other function and symptom scales. CONCLUSION: After the first year after treatment, recovery of the persisting side effects of treatment cannot be expected for the group as a whole. Patients must be prepared for this. Some individual patients experience improvement in global HRQL. HRQL assessments in daily clinical practice can identify patients who are in need of additional support and symptom relief.

Health-related quality of life five years after diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with laryngeal carcinoma in a prospective longitudinal multicenter study at diagnosis, after 1 and 5 years in relation to tumor location and treatment modality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients (mean age 66 years; 84% males) with laryngeal carcinoma were evaluated with standardized HRQL questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the EORTC QLQ-Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Some significant changes in HRQL were found between diagnosis and 5 years after diagnosis, depending on the treatment given. The patients' ability to speak improved whereas some general functions deteriorated and treatment-related side effects increased. When comparing HRQL at 1 and 5 years after diagnosis, it appears that most values at the 1-year follow-up assessment persist until 5 years, but a few deteriorate. The HRQL at diagnosis seems to be associated with survival rate after 5 years, and the global quality of life scale at diagnosis tends to predict HRQL after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HRQL questionnaires is valuable when comparing different treatments and as an aid in predicting treatment side effects. Evaluation of HRQL at diagnosis for patients with laryngeal carcinoma seems to be of value for the prognosis of HRQL over time and for the prognosis of survival.