Patient‐Reported Quality of Life After Resection With Primary Closure for Oral Tongue Carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis For early‐stage oral tongue carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (ESOTCCIS), we evaluated patient‐reported quality‐of‐life (QOL) outcomes following resection with primary closure (R‐PC). Study Design Retrospective review at an academic cancer center. Methods Thirty‐nine ESOTCCIS patients (Tis, T1, T2) who underwent R‐PC without radiation completed the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 4 (UW‐QOL) at least 6 months since R‐PC (mean = 2.39 years; range = 0.5–6.7 years). We compared UW‐QOL scores for pain, swallowing, chewing, speech, and taste to established normative population scores. Multivariable regression analysis evaluated factors associated with QOL impairment. Results ESOTCCIS patients who underwent R‐PC in comparison to the normative population reported significantly worse mean speech (87.7 vs. 98, P < .001) and taste (85.6 vs. 95, P = .002) scores and no significant differences in mean pain (91.7 vs. 86, P = .96), swallowing (100 vs. 98, P = .98), chewing (97.4 vs. 94, P = .98) scores. For speech and taste, 59% (23/39) reported no postoperative change from baseline, whereas 41% (16/39) and 35.9% (14/39) reported mild impairment, respectively. Overall, postoperative QOL was reported as good, very good, or outstanding by 87.2% (34/39). Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class, cT1 compared to CIS, and ventral tongue involvement were independently associated with worse speech. Age < 60 years was independently associated with worse taste. Conclusions ESOTCCIS patients who undergo R‐PC without radiation can expect long‐term swallowing, chewing, and pain to be in the normative range. Although a majority of patients can expect to achieve normative speech and taste outcomes, R‐PC carries the risks of mild speech and/or taste impairments. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:312–318, 2021

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