Incidence of Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence of trismus and to analyze the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with trismus undergoing treatment for head and neck (H&N) cancer.

Method: This prospective study assesses the incidence of trismus (≤35 mm) and HRQL in H&N cancer patients during 2007 in a university hospital setting. Maximum interincisal opening was measured in 127 patients during the study year, and the EORTC HRQL questionnaires and Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ) were used.

Results: In the present study the incidence of trismus was 9% pre-treatment, and the highest incidence (38%) was found 6 months posttreatment. Patients with tumors of the tonsils were the most prone to develop trismus. The trismus patients reported negatively affected HRQL in terms of ability to work and affected social and family life than those without trismus. Furthermore, all patients with H&N malignancies had severe problems with deteriorated HRQL parameters, especially at 3 months posttreatment.

Conclusion: The incidence of trismus in patients with H&N cancer is non-negligible. Trismus severely impairs HRQL and daily life activities in H&N cancer patients.