CAN MICROSURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION AFTER ORAL CANCER IMPROVE PATIENT-REPORTED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE? A 5-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Patient-reported outcomes have become an increasingly important means of measuring treatment for oral cancer from the patient’s point of view. Since this type of tumour affects structures that are critical for normal functions such as speech and swallowing, and treatment may lead to deformities that adversely impact psychosocial functioning, there is particular interest in assessing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in this group of patients. Our research project is based on a retrospective study assessing post-treatment health-related quality of life and the functional status of 39 patients with advanced oral cancer. After resection, it was necessary to perform micro-vascular free-flap reconstructive surgery to compensate for loss of body tissue. HR-QoL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30, H&N35 and PATSAT32. These three questionnaire modules were created and validated by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer’s Quality of Life Group. We added three questions of our own to the standard questionnaire. Mastication, speech and dry mouth have been shown to be the main concerns that determine QoL. Religious faith and family have proved to be the two things that help patients the most through difficult times. We believe that patient-reported outcome assessments in maxillofacial oncology appear to be an interesting means of evaluating HR-QoL and that they can make a significant contribution to improving the patients well-being.