Longitudinal evaluation of patients with cancer in the oral tongue, tonsils, or base of tongue--does interstitial radiation dose affect quality of life?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with oral tongue, tonsil, or base of tongue cancer in a prospective longitudinal study and explore correlations between HRQL scores and interstitial radiation dose, dose rate, and volume of implant.


METHODS
Ninety patients with oral tongue cancer (n=30) and tonsil or base of tongue cancer (n=60) were assessed with the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 and the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck module at diagnosis, and after 3, 12, and 36 months of starting treatment.


RESULTS
The HRQL of all patients decreased during treatment. Most HRQL scores returned to baseline values after 3 years; however, 60% of patients with oral tongue cancer and 80% with tonsil and base of tongue cancer reported problems with dry mouth and half of the patients with tonsil and base of tongue cancer reported problems with swallowing solid food at the 3-year followup. No correlations between brachytherapy quality indices and HRQL scores were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with oral tongue, tonsil, or base of tongue cancer reported significant problems with dry mouth and swallowing solid food throughout this 3-year followup study.
Petruson
Karin
K
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden. karin.petruson@orlss.gu.se
Mercke
Claes
C
Lundberg
Lena-Marie
LM
Silander
Ewa
E
Hammerlid
Eva
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome