Author(s): Viana, Thales Salles Angelim ; Silva, Paulo Goberlânio de Barros ; Pereira, Karuza Maria Alves ; Mota, Mario Rogério Lima ; Alves, Ana Paula Negreiros Nunes ; Souza, Eric Fernandes de ; Sousa, Fabricio Bitu
Date: 2018
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Qualidade de Vida; Quality of Life; Neoplasias Bucais; Mouth Neoplasms
Background: The purpose of the present study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative health related quality of life (HRQoL) of a sample of patients undergoing primary surgery for oral cancer in 2012-13. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of 54 patients in a Brazilian population was performed. HRQoL was measured preoperatively (after histopathological diagnosis) and postoperatively (2 months after surgery) using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL). Clinicopathological, sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. Results: Surgery had a negative impact on most HRQoL domains, but pain, mood and anxiety scores were significantly improved. Most patients rated their health-related and overall postoperative HRQoL as good or very good. Conclusions: The UW-QOL was efficient at measuring HRQoL in our sample of patients with oral cancer. Surgery had a negative impact on HRQoL, especially due to sequelae affecting the stomatognathic system, yet patients classified their postoperative health-related and overall QoL as positive. Qualitative studies are necessary for confirmation of our results and further exploration.
