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.