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Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

口腔癌病患放射線治療後之併發症及其對生活品質之影響

Abstract

Background: Oral cavity cancer is the most common cancer in middle-aged men in Taiwan. Radiation fibrosis syndrome and lymphedema are the leading side effects in patients with oral cavity cancer, and can deteriorate their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate common morbidities and their influences on QOL in patients with oral cavity cancer. Methods: 27 patients with oral cavity cancer who received surgery and radiotherapy (RT) were recruited. Clinical evaluations of each patient included the VAS pain scale, the lymphedema scale, facial distance measurement for lymphedema, maximal interincisal distance (MID), range of motion (ROM) of the neck and shoulder, Constant shoulder score, and the EORTC QLQ (QLQ C30, H-N35) shortly after RT, and at 3 months and 6 months after RT. Results: ROM of the neck and shoulder, and the Constant shoulder score were the worst shortly after RT. The participants had moderately decreased neck ROM, and a deficit in abduction, internal/ external rotation of the shoulder and the Constant score, even 6 months after RT. Lymphedema was detected in all patients. The VAS pain score (4.8±2.1) was the worst shortly after RT, and was correlated with the lymphedema scales (p＜ 0.001), the Constant score (Rt- p= 0.003, Lt- p=0.02) and MID(p = 0.049). In terms of QOL, fatigue, insomnia, financial difficulties, dry mouth, mouth opening and sticky saliva were the predominant morbidities, and showed no significant improvement. Conclusions: Dry mouth, impaired mouth opening, sticky saliva, insomnia and lymphedema were the major long-term morbidities in patients with oral cavity cancer after radiotherapy. Improvement of neck ROM and shoulder abduction in patients who have undergone extensive neck dissection should be given more clinical attention.

Language

English

First Page

1

Last Page

13

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