Health-related quality of life in patients with major salivary gland carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients with major salivary gland carcinoma (MSGC). Methods 45 patients with MSGC completed the University of Washington Quality of Life (UWQOL) questionnaire. Results and factors influencing quality of life were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U test. Results 24 patients were male, 21 patients were female, and median age was 57 years. 33 patients presented with early stage (UICC stage I or II) cancer. All patients had surgery as initial therapy. The UWQOL domains with the worst results were ‘appearance’, ‘activity’ and ‘anxiety’. Factors influencing QOL were sex, tumor stage, comorbidities, follow-up time, tumor grade, postoperative radiation therapy and facial nerve dysfunction. Conclusions Diagnosis and treatment of MSGC has influence on overall QOL. Postoperative radiation has the greatest impact on QOL. This is one of the largest study evaluating QOL in patients with salivary gland carcinoma using the UWQOL.