LONG-TERM head and neck cancer survivors frequently report poor oral health-related quality of life, with persistent late toxicities remaining common more than 8 years after diagnosis. This is according to the results of a new multinational study.
The cross-sectional analysis included 404 survivors from 11 sites across six countries, all of whom were treated between 2007 and 2013 and had survived at least 5 years post-diagnosis. The median time since diagnosis was 8.4 years, with participants averaging 66 years of age and 67% being male. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core quality of life questionnaire alongside an oral health-specific module, and clinicians assessed late effects using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.
Overall, 29% of survivors reported poor oral health-related quality of life. These patients were more likely to be female and to have had advanced-stage disease. Poor outcomes were strongly associated with a higher prevalence of late toxicities including dysphagia, trismus, osteonecrosis of the jaw, oral pain, and xerostomia. Importantly, no clinically significant differences emerged between the four treatment approaches evaluated, which included surgery alone, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy without surgery, and combined surgery with postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy.
The findings underscore that oral health challenges among survivors are not limited to any single treatment modality but rather reflect long-lasting toxicities of head and neck cancer care. The study highlights a critical gap in survivorship management, with persistent oral health issues negatively impacting quality of life nearly a decade after treatment.
Researchers conclude that structured and proactive follow-up of oral health in this population is essential, particularly for women and those who had advanced disease at diagnosis. Targeted survivorship care addressing late oral toxicities may help improve long-term well-being and reduce the burden faced by this growing patient population.
Reference: Westgaard KL et al. Oral health-related quality of life among long-term head and neck cancer survivors: a multinational study. Support Care Cancer. 2025;33(10):868.
