Health-related quality of life in patients with pharyngeal carcinoma: a five-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Nordgren
Mats
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. mats.nordgren@med.lu.se
Jannert
Magnus
M
Boysen
Morten
M
Ahlner-Elmqvist
Marianne
M
Silander
Ewa
E
Bjordal
Kristin
K
Hammerlid
Eva
E
D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology