State of mastication affects quality of life in patients with maxillary sinus cancer

Objectives/Hypothesis: The quality of life of head and neck cancer patients after treatment is poor compared with a typical population sample. However, little is known about patients with maxillary sinus cancer. The identification of symptoms that are most troublesome for these patients and the development of strategies to minimize these negative sequelae should be matters of high priority. Study Design: A restrospective study of patients with maxillary sinus cancer who underwent maxillary bone resection. Methods: Thirty patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma participated in the study. The relationships among the degree of masticatory ability, the extent of the surgically resected area, and quality of life after combined treatment of maxillary cancer were evaluated. Results: Scores of all physical and mental factors as assessed by the Short Form-36 questionnaire decreased as the masticatory ability of patients worsened. In edentulous cases, the masticatory ability was higher in the reduced operation group than in the extensive operation group. Conclusion: Maintaining adaptability to a denture is essential to preserve quality of life, particularly in patients with anodontia.