Assessment of the quality of life in patients with oral cavity and jaw cancer in three regions of Bulgaria.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in 103 patients with oral cavity and jaw cancer, using an original rating scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS In order to assess the QoL in such patients an original rating scale was developed and validated. For statistics alternative analysis, non parametric tests, correlation analysis, and graphic analysis were used. RESULTS Most patients were rated as grade III or IV according to the 5-grade scale (grade IV the most severe). Their QoL was significantly deteriorated, resulting in depression and despair. Reconstruction and prosthesis implantation and social rehabilitation were needed in these patients. QoL was assessed in 19 patients prior to and following prosthesis implantation. Prior to implantation most patients were rated as grade III or IV, whereas the majority of them were rated as grade 0 or 1 following prosthesis implantation. Prosthesis implantation contributed to improvement of speaking and feeding and elimination of disfigurement. CONCLUSION After assessment of QoL, patients rated as grade III or IV should have access to complex medical management, including prosthesis implantation and social rehabilitation.