Analysis Of Common Patient Complaints After Management Of Oral Cancer - A Retrospective Study

Oral health status that plays a vital part in the overall quality of life is hampered by side effects of oral cancer therapies. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the common patient complaints after management of oral cancer and its association with patient age range and gender. Objective: The objective of this study was to bring dental care professionals' attention to oral complications that arise after management of cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The treatment data of oral cancer patients (n=160) was collected from Dental Information Archiving Software [DIAS] with data from June 2019 to February 2021. The patient complaints had been elicited when they reported for scheduled review and further follow up. Results: Most of the oral cancer patients (57.5%) did not have any specific complaint after cancer management and had come for scheduled review and follow up. Pain and swelling in the operated site (11.9%), Ulceration in the mouth (7.5%), difficulty in food chewing and swallowing (6.9%) and discharge from the operated site (6.3%) were commonly complained issues. Nasal regurgitation while eating food (5.6%) and reduced mouth opening (4.4%) were the least common complaints. The association between age range in years (35 - 45, 46 - 55, 56 - 65, 66 - 75) and patient complaints after oral cancer management was not statistically significant at P VALUE 0.491 (p>0.05). The association between gender and patient complaints after oral cancer management was also not statistically significant at P VALUE 0.722 (p>0.05). Conclusion: The long-term complications associated with the treatment of oral cancers should be considered during the treatment planning phase to improve quality of life after oncotherapy