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Scientific Oral Presentations

Head and Neck Surgery

Session: Scientific Presentation 6 - Head and Neck Surgery

Long-Term Quality of Life in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Monday, October 13, 2025
3:00 PM - 3:06 PM EDT
Location: 127
Disclosure(s):
Dominique T. Zarrella, BS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Michael I. Orestes, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Short-term quality of life outcomes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) survivors is well documented, however there is a lack of current research in long-term (>5-years) quality of life in this population. The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis examining long-term health-related quality of life in OPSCC survivors, determining positive and negative predictors of long-term quality of life, and how quality of life differs by treatment modality.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, a comprehensive search of the literature was performed on 12/10/2024 using PubMed, Embase, and Ovid Cochrane. Study selection was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) strategy. Studies met inclusion criteria if they reported quality of life screener scores in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma survivors at least 5 years after undergoing treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery. Random effects meta-analyses were used to analyze the compiled data.

Results: The literature search returned 2,656 articles for initial review, of which 9 (3,935 participants) met criteria for inclusion and meta-analysis. This study demonstrated that long-term quality of life in OPSCC patients is significantly decreased compared to the general population. Additionally, meta-analysis revealed that worse long-term quality of life was associated with age, number of comorbid conditions, advanced tumor stage, multiple treatment modalities, and lack of social support, while better long-term quality of life was associated with HPV positive tumors and increased time since diagnosis.

Conclusions: OPSCC patients status post radiation therapy and/or surgical management are at increased risk of worsened long-term health-related quality of life. Therefore, we recommend that resources for psychiatric counseling and social support should be regularly discussed and offered for survivors.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Dominique T. Zarrella, BS

    Medical Student
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • HK

    Ha Eun Kim, BS

    Medical Student
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • OC

    Om Chitnis, BS

    Medical Student
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
    North Bethesda, Maryland, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • JC

    John J. Caraway, MD

    Otolaryngology Resident
    Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • MO

    Michael I. Orestes, MD

    Associate Professor Surgery
    United States Army, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
    Bethesda, Maryland, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.