Quality of life analysis in patients with anterior skull base neoplasms

Background. Significant morbidity is associated with management of anterior skull base neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the posttreatment patient's quality of life (QOL). Methods. A retrospective chart review identified 27 patients. QOL tools included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Head & Neck, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Atkinson Life Happiness Rating (ALHR), and Midface Dysfunction Scale (MDS). Results. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was required in 16 and 2 patients, respectively. The median FACT, ALHR, and CES-D scores were 118 ± 21, 9 ± 2, and 17 ± 8, respectively. Smell and nasal crusting disturbance was reported by 69% and 61%, respectively. CES-D > 16 and patients with recurrent disease correlated with a lower Total-FACT score. Adjuvant radiotherapy correlated with a lower FACT-H&N score. Patient sex, marital-status, pathology, surgical technique, or complication rate did not correlate with worse QOL. Conclusion. Anterior skull base neoplasms survivors have an overall acceptable QOL. Most complaints relate to MDS. Recurrence, adjuvant radiotherapy, and MDS had lower QOL scores. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009