Tumour stage and surgical treatment of oral cancer effect weight changes and impact patients´ public behaviour, future perspectives and quality of life

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate weight changes, the physical and psychological aspects impacting quality of life (QoL) related to the diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Data from 1359 patients with oral cancer were analysed retrospectively during the multicentre rehabilitation study of the German-Austrian-Swiss Cooperative Group on Tumours of the Maxillofacial Region (DÖSAK). Using questionnaires, patients and physicians documented weight changes related to tumour stage and surgical treatment, but also on patients´ public life behaviour, future perspectives and QoL. Results Weight loss was significantly associated with higher tumour stage (p = 0.001) and regional lymph node metastasis (p = 0.000), while patients with negative nodal status managed to maintain weight. To the majority, neck dissection was associated with stable weight (p = 0.016). However, radical neck dissection significantly revealed weight loss compared to other types of neck dissection (p = 0.000). No surgical defect reconstruction technique was associated with weight changes. Furthermore, weight changes during treatment did not lead to changes in patients´ public visiting behaviours (p = 0.000). However, patients with physical impairments related to tumour treatment and attendant weight changes, conversely, avoided public visiting (p = 0.000 and p = 0.029, respectively). Most patients with general weight changes were hopeful towards future, while others with weight loss were more hopeless (p = 0.000). Conclusion Identifying weight changes during oncological therapy is essential to addressing the therapeutic needs of oral cancer patients and improving their QoL.