Original Research Article

Five year quality of life outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma survivors using EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire: a cross sectional study from India

¹ Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi 110002, India
² Department of Surgical Oncology, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi 110096, India

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 30 August 2025
Accepted: 11 April 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major contributor to cancer-related morbidity, especially in India. Despite advancements in treatment, OSCC survivors often experience a compromised quality of life (QOL). Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of OSCC survivors using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Materials and Methods: Five years back, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 47 OSCC patients treated primarily with surgery, with or without adjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Data collection was done using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests for SPSS software 21. Results: The mean global health status (GHS) score was 45.88 ± 14.82, the mean functional scale (FS) was 58.08 ± 19.53, and the mean symptom scale (SS) was 39.97 ± 26.57, indicating a moderate QOL. Patients who received surgery with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy had better global health scores. Financial difficulties, fatigue, pain, appetite loss, and insomnia were the most frequently reported symptoms. Conclusion: OSCC significantly impacts QOL, with tumor stage, age, and treatment modality being key influencing factors. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire proves to be an effective tool in evaluating post-treatment QOL. This study is among the few from the Indian subcontinent to assess long-term (5-year) post-treatment QOL in OSCC patients using EORTC QLQ-C30, highlighting the persistent impact of treatment-related financial burden and psychosocial distress.