Assessing Quality of Life in Oral Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study in India

This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of oral cavity cancer patients post-surgery using the University of Washington QoL (UWQOL) questionnaire and the Performance Status Scale (PSS) Diet Scale. It focused on evaluating the effects of tumor location, disease stage, and treatment modalities on physical and social-emotional well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 451 patients at the Tata Memorial Centre, India, between May 2022 and April 2023. Patients responded to the UWQOL questionnaire, covering aspects such as pain, speech, and appearance, along with the PSS Diet Scale for assessing diet functionality. Statistical analyses (t-tests and ANOVA) were performed to analyze the impact of demographic and clinical factors on QoL. Significant differences in QoL were found based on gender, tumor stage, and treatments. Tongue cancer patients reported better appearance, while gingivobuccal sulcus patients showed superior diet and speech outcomes. Physical and social QoL were closely linked. The UWQOL and PSS Diet Scale effectively captured the diverse impacts of oral cancer treatments. The findings highlight the need for personalized rehabilitation, particularly for speech and diet, to improve overall QoL.