• Pihla Ranta, Ilpo Kinnunen, Lauri Jouhi, Tero Vahlberg, Leif J J Back, Elina Halme, Petri Koivunen, Timo Autio, Matti Pukkila, and Heikki Irjala.
• Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
• Laryngoscope. 2021 Apr 1; 131 (4): E1172-E1178.

ObjectivesTo analyze the long-term quality of life (QOL) among oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) survivors.Study DesignRetrospective chart analysis and patient response to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core Module (EORTC QLQ-C30), Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), and M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) survey questionnaires.MethodsAll survivors of OPSCC diagnosed and treated between 2000 and 2009 in Finland were included. There were 263 survivors (44.2% of all curatively treated patients), of which a total of 164 participated in this study (62.4%). Median follow-up was 11.79 years (range = 8.59-18.53 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 4.64 years). The mean age of the participants was 67.9 years (standard deviation = 8.0 years) at QOL follow-up.ResultsMost survivors reported a good QOL. The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status median was 75.00 (IQR = 31.25). The single modality treatment group had significantly better QOL outcomes than the combined treatment group. Nonsmokers and previous smokers had significantly better QOL outcomes than patients who smoked at the time of diagnosis. A history of heavy alcohol use resulted in significantly worse QOL outcomes. The p16-positive cancer patients had significantly better QOL outcomes than p16-negative patients. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube-dependent patients reported a significantly worse QOL than patients without a PEG tube.ConclusionsLong-term QOL in OPSCC survivors is generally good. In line with previous literature, single modality treatment was superior to combined treatment in long-term QOL outcomes, and it should be pursued whenever possible.Level Of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1172-E1178, 2021.© 2020 American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society Inc, "The Triological Society" and American Laryngological Association (ALA).

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