THE IMPACT OF SURGERY FOR ORAL-CANCER ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE AS MEASURED BY THE MEDICAL OUTCOMES SHORT-FORM-36

Quality of life evaluation is an important measure of outcome followin g the treatment of head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients undergoing primary surgery fo r oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. 50 consecutive patie nts with previously untreated oral cancer were assessed using using tw o questionnaires, the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Unive rsity of Washington Head and Neck Questionnaire (UW-QOL) at four time intervals; pretreatment, and 3, 6, 12 months. At the time of presentat ion, patients with oral cancer scored lower than norms, particularly f or physical role limitation, mental role limitation, and social functi oning. At 3 months following surgery, there was a considerable deterio ration in physical functioning, limitation of physical role, energy an d general health perception. By 12 months postoperatively patients app roached pretreatment scores. The SF-36 and UW-QOL provide outcome info rmation suitable for international comparison. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.