Cross-sectional study of 1-to-5- year head and neck cancer survivors

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the demographic and clinical profile of 1-to-5-year head neck cancer (HNC) survivors, they oral features that could affect QoL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, medical records 184 were reviewed concerning demographic, tumour characteristics. 40 them underwent a quality life (QoL) questionnaire assessment xerostomia (XA), using health impact -14 (OHIP-14) inventory (XI). Salivary flow was determined by measurement stimulated whole salivary rate (SWSFR) number teeth (NT) determining extracted and/or lost teeth. One-sample t-test, absolute relative frequencies Spearman's correlation test used for statistical analysis data. RESULTS: Most HNC patients male, aged between 50 60 years, alcohol tobacco users, with low educational attainment, several comorbidities, pharyngeal tumours. The high scores in OHIP-14 (23.82±14.0) XI (39.2±7.6) indicated most had their QoL adversely affected xerostomia. Mean SWSFR 0.2mL/min, 15% (n=28) edentulous. Spearman showed significant xerostomia, CONCLUSION: evaluated characteristics cancers characteristics, (QoL), flow, through an observational study.