Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Using EORTC QLQ-H&N35 in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Within the First Year Following Treatment: a Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer globally, accounting for more than 660,000 new cases and 325,000 deaths annually. The number of HNC cases is expected to grow by 30% each year until 2030.[1] The rise has been observed in both developed and developing countries.[2] The survival for HNC has improved modestly over the past three decades with the introduction of different and multi-disciplinary treatment modalities.[3] There are several treatment options for HNC, including radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. These treatments can be used alone or in combination. Radiation therapy (RT) involves using high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells, while it is an important part of HNC treatment, it can also cause various toxicities, sometimes severe, toxicities.[4].

In most of the cases, head and neck tumors may destroy organs that play an important part in daily activities such as eating and speaking [5]. Additionally, the therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer usually result in collateral effects [6]. that impact in the quality of life. The assessment of the quality of life in patients with cancer became a valuable tool to investigate the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment [7].

The oral condition has an essential role in the individual's systemic health [8]. In specific, the quality of lifer elated to oral health (OHRQoL) may be defined as the lack of negative impact of the oral condition on social, psychological and functional activities [9]. In general, patients with tumors in the oral cavity figure amongst the worst indices for the quality of life when compared to patients with tumors in other regions [10]. Based on the exposed, the present study aimed to measure the impact of OHRQoL of patients with HNC and to evaluate the factors associated.

QoL assessment is an important tool for evaluating not only the impact of disease and its treatment on an individual level but also helpful in developing and revising the rehabilitative ser- vices and patient education material to further improve the clinical outcomes (survival) of patients [11]. Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL), specifically focuses on self-report aspects pertaining to oral health, capturing the functional, social, and psychological dimensions affected by oral disease [12]. In the case of HNC, disruptions in key oral functions poses a higher risk of adversely affecting both OHRQoL and overall QoL[13].

Not much evidence is found in Egypt related to oral care measures for HNC patients, such as professional care by a dentist and dental hygienist (mechanical or manual removal of mucosal debris, oral hygiene counsel- ling, etc.) at least once a week until the completion of RT [14]. The patients are often unaware of the potential harm from the cancer treatment, only a proportion of HNC patients seek dental consultation for their complications, and most of them suffer greatly even after the completion of treatment due to disturbed oral functions.

To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive assessment of OHRQoL in HNC treated patients who had completed their cancer treatment within the past 12 months. Additionally, it aims to explore the associations between various oral clinical parameters, including oral hygiene status and oral mucositis, and several predictive factors such as sociodemographic characteristics and treatment-related variables in relation to OHRQoL. The findings of this study will highlights the importance of standardizing oral care and improving oral health support for HNC treated patients to reduce the impact of oral problems which can negatively impact their overall quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

(HNC).

• Completed cancer treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy) within the past 12 months.
• Attending routine follow-up visits at Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital (AMTH), Egypt.
• Able to communicate and complete the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire.
• Presence of at least one molar and one central incisor in both upper and lower dentition (for oral hygiene assessment).
• Provided written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with cognitive impairment or severe mental illness affecting their ability to respond to the questionnaire.
• Patients with debilitating conditions (e.g., terminal illness, bedridden status).
• Trismus (mouth opening <20mm) preventing oral examination.
• Patients who decline to participate or withdraw consent.
• Patients with incomplete medical records or loss to follow-up.