Introduction: The extirpation of skull base malignancies may be associated with significant morbidity and can profoundly impact health related quality of life (HRQOL). In this review, we sought to provide an overview of HRQOL and the factors that influence it for patients with skull base malignancies.
Materials and methods: Narrative review.
Results: HRQOL tends to improve in the months to years following treatment and is profoundly impacted by both tumor location and treatment approach. Wherever possible, HRQOL should always be elicited from the patient directly. Several HRQOL instruments have been used in this population including generic, site-specific and disease specific measures.
Conclusion: Given that HRQOL is a multidimensional concept with several important facets, validated disease-specific instruments are generally preferred.
Keywords: Anterior skull base neoplasm; Cranial base; Cranial neoplasm; Head and neck neoplasms; Patient reported outcome measures; Quality of life; Skull base surgery.