Oral health-related quality of life in oral cancer patients assessed with EORTC instruments: a scoping review

This scoping review aimed to map how EORTC instruments have been used to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL for studies published after 2000. Eligible studies included adult patients with oral/oropharyngeal cancer and reported outcomes using EORTC instruments. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most employed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 instruments, assessing OHRQoL across various time points. Results showed that quality of life generally declined after treatment but gradually recovered over time. QoL outcomes varied by tumor stage, HPV status, tumor site, and treatment modality. HPV-positive patients and those treated with surgery alone often reported better functional outcomes. However, EORTC tools lacked sensitivity to capture oral-specific domains such as dry mouth, mouth sores, and sensitivity to food, particularly in advanced-stage patients or those undergoing total glossectomy. EORTC instruments are widely used in oral cancer research, but may inadequately capture key oral health-specific aspects of patient experience. The EORTC QLQ-OH15 module offers promise in addressing these gaps. Future research should integrate OH15 with existing tools and adopt standardized assessment schedules to enhance comparability and improve patient-centered care.