Changes in oral function, swallowing function, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment can cause oral morbidities, such as oral dryness and dysphagia, affecting the patient’s quality of life (QOL). The relationship between oral functions and QOL in patients with early-stage HNC remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in the QOL of patients with early-stage HNC and identify factors that affect the QOL of these patientsMethods: In this prospective cohort study, 52 patients who underwent early-stage (T1/T2) HNC treatment were evaluated for their oral function, swallowing function, and the QOL score at baseline (BL) and 12 months after surgical treatment (12M). The participants were divided into two groups: patients who returned to the BL QOL score at 12M (RE; n=35) and those who did not (NR; n=17). Results: In total, 32.7% (17/52) patients with early-stage HNC did not return to the BL QOL score at 12M. There was no significant difference between the RE and NR groups regarding the oral and swallowing function. Moreover, oral and swallowing function of all patients returned to the BL at 12M. The NR group showed lower QOL scores than the RE group in the global health status, physical function, and “sticky saliva” parameters in the questionnaires.Conclusion: Restoration of the oral function is insufficient to improve the QOL of patients with early-stage HNC. The treatment of these patients should instead consider several factors that affect their QOL.