Outcomes in Oropharyngeal Cancer

Abstract

Objective: 1) To assess outcomes, in terms of survival, quality of life (using EORTC CQOL and HN35), and swallowing in oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with transoral surgical techniques. 2) To compare these outcomes with those of patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Method: The study was conducted through 2011. Data were collated from the databases of 3 head and neck cancer units in the southwest of England. Patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2006-2008 were identified. Their medical records were reviewed and questionnaires looking in to the assessed outcome measures were sent.

Results: A total of 124 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma during the years 2006-2008 were identified. Of these 124 patients, 70 were still alive at the time of the study. Sixty-three of 70 patients responded to the questionnaire. Notable findings included much reduced symptom scores for swallowing difficulties in those patients treated surgically compared to chemoradiation. The combined head and neck symptom scores for stage 3 and 4 disease was a median of 12 for the surgical group versus 27 for the chemoradiation group.

Conclusion: These data add to the available evidence that suggests that patients treated with modern, minimally invasive, transoral surgical techniques may have improved quality of life and swallowing function compared to those treated with chemoradiotherapy.