Changes in Oral Function and Quality of Life in Tongue Cancer Patients Based on Resected Area

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of tongue cancer caused oral morbidities such as oral dryness, and dysphagia. The purpose of this study is to examine the time course of oral function and QOL based on resected area for patients after tongue cancer resection. METHODS: 31 patients who underwent tongue cancer resection at the Showa University Head and Neck Oncology Center. The participants were divided into two groups; 24 participants in partial/hemi glossectomy group (PG), and seven in subtotal/total glossectomy group (TG). Participants were evaluated swallowing function (FOIS and MASA-C), tongue pressure (TP: kPa), BMI, whole body muscle mass (kg), and QOL evaluation (EORTC QLQ-C30, H & N35). Participants were measured at baseline (before surgical treatment), 1, 3, and 6 months after surgical treatment (1M, 3M, and 6M). RESULTS: At baseline, tongue pressure and FOIS score of PG were significant higher than that of TG. At 1M, TP, MASA-C, and FOIS score of PG were significant higher than that of TG. At 3M, TP, MASA-C, and FOIS score of PG were significant higher than that of TG. At 6M, TP and MASA-C were significantly higher than that of TG. QOL measurements did not noted any significant difference between groups before 6M. At 6M, Some QOL measurements of TG related tongue function (Swallowing, Senses, Speech, Social contact) were significantly lower than PG. CONCLUSIONS: The resected area had significant effects on oral morbidities and feeding function. It is necessary to develop more effective rehabilitation methods to improve patients QOL who had functional impairment remained.