Long-term patient-reported outcomes in a population-based cohort following radiotherapy versus surgery for oropharyngeal cancer

Oncologic outcomes are similar for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with primary surgery or radiotherapy. Comparative differences in long-term patient-reported outcomes (PROs between these modalities are less well established. A cross-sectional study of data of 396 patients in the Texas Cancer Registry found no association between long-term PROs and primary radiotherapy or surgery for OPSCC. Lower socioeconomic status, feeding tube use, and concurrent chemotherapy werd associated with worse PROs many years after treatment. The authors conclude that long-term PROs following surgery or radiotherapy are similar but that late quality-of-life outcomes are associated with other factors, such as socioeconomic status.