Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients with Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer: from Diagnosis to Three Months Post-treatment

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of surgical, radiotherapeutic and combination treatment on quality of life, in patients diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx. During the acute stage of treatment, quality of life was longitudinally evaluated. Quality of life was assessed at frequent time intervals (diagnosis, two weeks, 1 month and 3 months after treatment completion). Eligible patients were consecutively requested to participate and 38 patients were recruited. Participants completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC H&N35, and HADS questionnaires. Functioning was found to reduce immediately post-treatment, with most functions improving to near baseline levels by 3 months post-treatment. Many symptoms significantly increased post-treatment, with many still scoring greater than at baseline levels at the end of the study. Anxiety scores were highest at diagnosis, depression scores were low throughout. This study indicates quality of life alters significantly over a short period of time from diagnosis and the start of treatment.