Evaluation of pain management and quality of life among oral cancer patients - A cross sectional study

Background: Oral cancer is a health concern in India, accounting for 90% of all head and neck cancers. Recent advances in treatment have improved survival rates, but unbearable pain creates a poor quality of life. Intense pain at the primary site significantly impairs speech, mastication, and swallowing. The use of extensive pain evaluation questionnaire may yield false responses from patients due to severe pain. Aim: The study aims to assess pain management and quality of life using an 8-point questionnaire among patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus undergoing treatment procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 oral cancer patients from two cancer hospitals were interviewed using the self-designed questionnaire to assess their pain level and quality of life. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis was used to describe the frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. Results and Conclusion: In 33% of the oral cancer patients, pain medication did not have an analgesic effect; 32.8% of the patients needed stronger pain medication; 36% had severe mood swings; 31.3% had severe sleep disturbance; and 39.1% had severe interference in eating food. On using numeric pain intensity scale, 42.2% had severe pain and 51.5% had moderate pain due to oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its treatment. This simplified questionnaire can be used as a preliminary tool to evaluate oral cancer pain and quality of life.