Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pre-treatment quality of life in patients with salivary gland cancer in comparison with those of head and neck cancer patients

  • Published:
Quality of Life Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is a rare malignant tumor arising from the salivary glands, with a variety of clinical and biological behaviors different from head and neck cancer (HNC). Because of the rarity of SGC, there are limited data on pre-treatment quality of life (QoL). Therefore, we evaluated the pre-treatment QoL in SGC patients by stage and compared it with that of HNC patients.

Methods

From a prospective registry of HNC patients (2016–2020), we selected 225 patients with SGC, and 912 patients with oral cavity (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) who were diagnosed in the same period as the HNC control group. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and HNC-Specific Module (H&N35) were used to assess QoL.

Results

SGC patients had a statistically better baseline QoL (69.8 vs. 64.0), emotional (82.1 vs. 78.8), cognitive (92.0 vs. 88.7), and social function (86.3 vs. 80.5), and fewer symptoms than HNC patients. The estimated average QoL differences between SGC patient diagnosed at stages I and IV was −12.9. Especially, advanced-stage of tumors was associated with much lower role functioning and emotional functioning scores in SGC patients, compared to those in HNC patients, among females and of younger age.

Discussion

Although the overall QoL score was higher in SGC patients than in HNC patients, specific domains were significantly affected in SGC patients according to the tumor stage. Females and those of younger age were more affected by severity of disease in SGC.

Study registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02546895.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author (HSJ). The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

References

  1. Del Signore, A. G., & Megwalu, U. C. (2017). The rising incidence of major salivary gland cancer in the United States. Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal, 96(3), E13–E16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Pinkston, J. A., & Cole, P. (1999). Incidence rates of salivary gland tumors: Results from a population-based study. Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 120(6), 834–840.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Fu, J. Y., Wu, C. X., Shen, S. K., Zheng, Y., Zhang, C. P., & Zhang, Z. Y. (2019). Salivary gland carcinoma in Shanghai (2003–2012): An epidemiological study of incidence, site and pathology. BMC Cancer, 19(1), 350.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Bradley, P. J., & McGurk, M. (2013). Incidence of salivary gland neoplasms in a defined UK population. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 51(5), 399–403.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Geiger, J. L., Ismaila, N., Beadle, B., Caudell, J. J., Chau, N., Deschler, D., et al. (2021). Management of Salivary Gland Malignancy: ASCO Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39(17), 1909–1941.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Haslam, A., Herrera-Perez, D., Gill, J., & Prasad, V. (2020). Patient experience captured by quality-of-life measurement in oncology clinical trials. JAMA Network Open, 3(3), e200363.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Joly, F., Vardy, J., Pintilie, M., & Tannock, I. F. (2007). Quality of life and/or symptom control in randomized clinical trials for patients with advanced cancer. Annals of Oncology, 18(12), 1935–1942.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Roila, F., & Cortesi, E. (2001). Quality of life as a primary end point in oncology. Annals of Oncology, 12(Suppl 3), S3-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Stenner, M., Beenen, F., Hahn, M., Koopmann, M., Weiss, D., & Huttenbrink, K. B. (2016). Exploratory study of long-term health-related quality of life in patients with surgically treated primary parotid gland cancer. Head and Neck, 38(1), 111–117.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Becker, C., Pfeiffer, J., Lange, K., & Dahlem, K. K. K. (2018). Health-related quality of life in patients with major salivary gland carcinoma. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 275(4), 997–1003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Al-Mamgani, A., van Rooij, P., Verduijn, G. M., Meeuwis, C. A., & Levendag, P. C. (2012). Long-term outcomes and quality of life of 186 patients with primary parotid carcinoma treated with surgery and radiotherapy at the Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 84(1), 189–195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Steffens, D., Solomon, M., Vuong, K., Alchin, L., Roberts, R., Koh, C., et al. (2018). Effect of timing on baseline quality of life scores among surgical cancer patients. BMC Research Notes, 11(1), 210.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. van Leeuwen, M., Husson, O., Alberti, P., Arraras, J. I., Chinot, O. L., Costantini, A., et al. (2018). Understanding the quality of life (QOL) issues in survivors of cancer: Towards the development of an EORTC QOL cancer survivorship questionnaire. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 16(1), 114.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Karvonen-Gutierrez, C. A., Ronis, D. L., Fowler, K. E., Terrell, J. E., Gruber, S. B., & Duffy, S. A. (2008). Quality of life scores predict survival among patients with head and neck cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(16), 2754–2760.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Jin, H., Kim, B. Y., Kim, H., Lee, E., Park, W., Choi, S., et al. (2019). Incidence of postoperative facial weakness in parotid tumor surgery: A tumor subsite analysis of 794 parotidectomies. BMC Surgery, 19(1), 199.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Aaronson, N. K., Ahmedzai, S., Bergman, B., Bullinger, M., Cull, A., Duez, N. J., et al. (1993). The European organization for research and treatment of cancer QLQ-C30: A quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 85(5), 365–376.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Bjordal, K., de Graeff, A., Fayers, P. M., Hammerlid, E., van Pottelsberghe, C., Curran, D., et al. (2000). A 12 country field study of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 30) and the head and neck cancer specific module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) in head and neck patients EORTC Quality of Life Group. European Journal of Cancer, 36(14), 1796–1807.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Yun, Y. H., Bae, S. H., Kang, I. O., Shin, K. H., Lee, R., Kwon, S. I., et al. (2004). Cross-cultural application of the Korean version of the European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) breast-cancer-specific quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Supportive Care in Cancer, 12(6), 441–445.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Fayers, P. M., Aaronson, N. K., & Bjordal, K. (2001). The EORTC QLQ-C30 Scoring Manual (3rd ed.). European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cocks, K., King, M. T., Velikova, G., Fayers, P. M., & Brown, J. M. (2008). Quality, interpretation and presentation of European organisation for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire core 30 data in randomised controlled trials. European Journal of Cancer, 44(13), 1793–1798.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Park, S. I., Park, W., Choi, S., Jang, Y., Kim, H., Kim, S. H., et al. (2020). Clinical outcome of minor salivary gland cancers in the oral cavity: A comparative analysis with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 881.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Hammerlid, E., Adnan, A., & Silander, E. (2017). Population-based reference values for the European organization for research and treatment of cancer head and neck module. Head and Neck, 39(10), 2036–2047.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Hamilton, S. N., Tran, E., Ho, C., Berthelet, E., Wu, J., DeVries, K., et al. (2021). Patient-reported outcome measures in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(5), 2537–2547.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hammerlid, E., Bjordal, K., Ahlner-Elmqvist, M., Boysen, M., Evensen, J. F., Biorklund, A., et al. (2001). A prospective study of quality of life in head and neck cancer patients Part I: At diagnosis. The Laryngoscope, 111(4 Pt 1), 669–680.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Gyori, E., Przestrzelski, C., Pona, I., Hagmann, M., Rath, T., Radtke, C., et al. (2018). Quality of life and functional assessment of facial palsy patients: A questionnaire study. International Journal of Surgery, 55, 92–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ho, A. L., Scott, A. M., Klassen, A. F., Cano, S. J., Pusic, A. L., & Van Laeken, N. (2012). Measuring quality of life and patient satisfaction in facial paralysis patients: A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 130(1), 91–99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Choi, S. Y., Lee, E., Kim, E., Chung, M. K., Son, Y. I., Baek, C. H., et al. (2021). Clinical outcomes of bulky parotid gland cancers: Need for self-examination and screening program for early diagnosis of parotid tumors. BMC Cancer, 21(1), 178.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Liao, L. J., Hsu, W. L., Lo, W. C., Cheng, P. W., Shueng, P. W., & Hsieh, C. H. (2019). Health-related quality of life and utility in head and neck cancer survivors. BMC Cancer, 19(1), 425.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Weymuller, E. A., Yueh, B., Deleyiannis, F. W., Kuntz, A. L., Alsarraf, R., & Coltrera, M. D. (2000). Quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: lessons learned from 549 prospectively evaluated patients. Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 126(3), 329–335.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Babin, E., Sigston, E., Hitier, M., Dehesdin, D., Marie, J. P., & Choussy, O. (2008). Quality of life in head and neck cancers patients: Predictive factors, functional and psychosocial outcome. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 265(3), 265–270.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. de Graeff, A., de Leeuw, J. R., Ros, W. J., Hordijk, G. J., Blijham, G. H., & Winnubst, J. A. (2001). Sociodemographic factors and quality of life as prognostic indicators in head and neck cancer. European Journal of Cancer, 37(3), 332–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sutherland, H. J., & Till, J. E. (1993). Quality of life assessments and levels of decision making: Differentiating objectives. Quality of Life Research, 2(4), 297–303.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

This study was supported by the Samsung Medical Center Research Project (no. OTA2101031).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Research Design & Evaluation, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea

    Danbee Kang & Juhee Cho

  2. Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

    Danbee Kang & Juhee Cho

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Eunhye Kim, Nayeon Choi, HeeJung Kim & Han-Sin Jeong

Authors
  1. Danbee Kang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eunhye Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nayeon Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. HeeJung Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Juhee Cho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Han-Sin Jeong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

DK: study concepts, study design, quality control of data, data analysis and interpretation, writing–initial draft, and writing–review and editing; EK: data acquisition, quality control of data, data analysis and interpretation, writing–initial draft, and writing–review and editing; NC: data acquisition, quality control of data, data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis, and writing–review and editing; HJK: data acquisition, quality control of data, data analysis and interpretation, statistical analysis, and writing–review and editing; JC: study concepts, study design, writing–review and editing; HSJ: study concepts, study design, quality control of data, data analysis and interpretation, writing–initial draft, and writing–review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Han-Sin Jeong.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Samsung Medical Center (no. 2015–06-132).

Consent to participate

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Consent to publish

No individual person’s data.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 214 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kang, D., Kim, E., Choi, N. et al. Pre-treatment quality of life in patients with salivary gland cancer in comparison with those of head and neck cancer patients. Qual Life Res 32, 1493–1506 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-022-03323-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-022-03323-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation