Quality of life of patients with tongue cancer 1 year after surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To study the changes and factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) of patients with tongue cancer 1 year after primary surgery.

Patients and methods: A total of 289 consecutive patients with tongue cancer who had undergone primary surgery from 2003 to 2008 at our hospital were recruited. Patient QOL was evaluated using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire, version 4. Statistical analysis was conducted using a paired-samples t test and multiple stepwise linear regression with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 11.5 (SPSS, Chicago, IL).

Results: At 1 year after surgery, the appearance, activity, speech, swallowing, shoulder function, salivary, and taste domain scores were significantly lower than the preoperative scores (P < .05). However, the pain, anxiety, and mood scores were significantly better 1 year after surgery (P < .05). The overall QOL had increased greatly 1 year after surgery but did not reach the pretreatment level. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the main factors affecting QOL were radiotherapy, advanced clinical stage (P < .05), socioeconomic status, and patient age. Radiotherapy, advanced clinical stage (P < .05), socioeconomic status, and age (P < .05) were independently associated with QOL.

Conclusions: The patients with tongue cancer who have been diagnosed and treated early might have a better QOL. A greater socioeconomic status can also improve the QOL of patients with tongue cancer after primary surgery.