Self-reported oral morbidities in long-term oropharyngeal cancer survivors: A cross-sectional survey of 906 survivors

Publication date: September 2018

Source: Oral Oncology, Volume 84

Author(s): Richard C. Cardoso, Ahmad Qazali, Jhankruti Zaveri, Mark S. Chambers, Gary Brandon Gunn, Clifton D. Fuller, Stephen Y. Lai, Frank E. Mott, Katherine A. Hutcheson

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and severity of late oral morbidities in disease-free oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) survivors using patient reported outcomes.

Materials and methods

Cross-sectional survivorship survey of patients who completed definitive treatment for oropharyngeal carcinoma  > 12-months previously without evidence of recurrence, second primary malignancy, or distant metastasis after index cancer. Using MD Anderson Symptom Inventory- Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN), scores for 4 self-reported oral morbidities: dry mouth, mucus secretions, mouth and throat sores, and teeth and gum issues were evaluated.

Results

Among 906 survey respondents (57% response rate), (median survival time: 7 years), "dry mouth" and "problems with my mucus" were reported moderate/severe (MDASI-HN item score ≥5) in 39% and 22% of respondents, while 14% reported moderate/severe "problems with teeth and gums". Smoking at the time of survey was significantly associated with the severity of oral symptoms including "mucus" (p = 0.03), "dry mouth" (p = 0.02), "problems with my teeth and gums" (p = 0.001). All the oral morbidities symptom items significantly, positively correlated with the mean interference scores reflecting adverse impact to quality of life (QOL): "mucus" (r = 0.445, p < 0.001), "problems with teeth" (r = 0.446, p < 0.001), "mouth sores" (r = 0.321, p < 0.001) and "dry mouth" (r = 0.459, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed that 45.5% reported at least one late oral morbidity at moderate/severe level which negatively correlated overall function, even years after treatment.

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