Prospective study finds persistent trismus and impaired quality of life a decade after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, highlighting long-term symptom stabilization after five years.
Background This prospective study investigates trismus prevalence, quality of life (QOL), and trismus‐related symptoms in HNC patients up to 10 years post‐radiotherapy (RT). Methods A total of 211 patients with HNC receiving RT were followed pretreatment, 12, 60, and 120 months post‐RT. Primary outcome was trismus defined as a maximum interincisal opening (MIO) ≤ 35 mm. Secondary outcomes included the European Organization for Treatment of Cancer Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire Core‐30 (EORTC QLQ‐C30), Head and Neck‐35 (EORTC QLQ‐HN35) and Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ). Results At 10 years post‐RT, 4/15 domains and items in EORTC QLQ‐C30 showed a deterioration when compared to baseline. Corresponding figures for EORTC QLQ‐HN35 and GTQ were 11/14 (six domains and five single items) and 4/7, respectively (domains only). The majority of scores remained unchanged between 5 and 10 years post‐RT. Trismus was present in 35% of patients at 10 years post‐RT. Conclusion Trismus continues to be present in up to 35% of patients 10 years post‐RT as well as a reduced QOL, with no significant changes occurring between 5 and 10 years post‐RT.
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Karlsson et al. (2026) studied this question.
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