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Van Cann EM, Dom M et al. Oral Oncol 2005: 687–693

In this study, 105 patients (mean age 66, range 26-88 yrs) who had received treatment involving mandibular surgery for squamous cell carcinoma returned questionnaires on QoL. Subjects were followed for 2-7 yrs. In 83, dental occlusion had been achieved, and 82 had normal tongue mobility.

Marginal mandibular resection was performed in 65 subjects and segmental resection in 40. This factor did not affect QoL outcome. However, postoperative radiotherapy correlated significantly with swallowing difficulties, social difficulties with eating, mouth opening, dry mouth, and the use of nutritional supplements. The use of feeding tubes related to the type of neck dissection.

The authors consider that a reduction in radiotherapy and more radical surgical excision might be of benefit to these patients.