Predictors of quality of life after treatment for oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Treatment for head and neck cancer, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, can impact quality of life.


METHODS
Patients seen at an academic institution and treated for oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinoma were asked to participate. The standardized University of Michigan Head and Neck Specific Quality of Life questionnaire was distributed.


RESULTS
Eighty-seven patients completed the questionnaire. The majority had squamous cell carcinoma (94%), stage III or IV disease (53%), and a history of tobacco or alcohol dependence (59%), and were male (62%). Eighteen percent had free-tissue transfer (fibula free flap in 8% and radial forearm free flap in 10%). Predictors of worse quality of life included advanced stage, gastrostomy-tube dependence, complication, or recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Stage, gastrostomy-tube dependence, complication, recurrence, and treatment modality influence quality of life. A better understanding of the impact of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer treatment on quality of life will enable us to better advise our patients.
Gurney
Theresa A
TA
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
Eisele
David W
DW
Orloff
Lisa A
LA
Wang
Steven J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome