“Life after treatment”
What physicians consider important for oral cancer survivors’ quality of life
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22086261 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Vikram Niranjan (0000-0003-2202-8250, University of Limerick, corresponding author), Sudarshan Ranpise (BVP Dental College), Sudarshan G Ranpise (University of Dental Medicine) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pages | 1805929-1805929 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-13 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1805929 |
| PMID | 42052037 |
| OpenAlex | W7153981291 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 33 |
Introduction: Oral cancer remains a major public health concern in India, particularly in Maharashtra, where tobacco and areca-nut use, delayed diagnosis, and socioeconomic constraints contribute to high morbidity and poor survivorship outcomes. Post-treatment challenges-including impairments in mastication, swallowing, speech, appearance, emotional wellbeing, and financial stability-profoundly shape survivors' quality of life (QOL). Physicians' perspectives are central to survivorship planning, yet remain understudied in low-resource, high-burden settings. Methods: This qualitative study explored treating physicians' perceptions of postoperative QOL among oral cancer survivors in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve physicians across surgical, medical, dental, and psychosocial specialties. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Framework Method with combined inductive-deductive coding. Results: Five major themes were identified: (1) physicians' conceptualizations of QOL; (2) key affected domains, including physical, emotional, social, and financial dimensions; (3) perceived patient needs, such as health education, financial assistance, and family support; (4) barriers to optimal QOL, including clinical sequelae, psychological insecurity, prosthetic challenges, and limited follow-up; and (5) strategies to enhance QOL, including structured health education, coping and psychological support, dietetic guidance, reconstructive rehabilitation, and regular follow-ups. Physicians viewed QOL as a multidimensional construct influenced by functional recovery, psychosocial resilience, and socioeconomic context. Discussion: Findings highlight the need for integrated survivorship pathways that prioritize multidisciplinary rehabilitation, psychological care, financial navigation, and patient-centered education. Strengthening survivorship infrastructure in resource-constrained settings may substantially improve long-term QOL for oral cancer survivors in India
Cancer · Cancer survivorship · Multidisciplinary approach · Psychosocial · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Survivorship curve · Cancer survivorship and care · Head and Neck Cancer Studies · Oral health in cancer treatment
| Highly cited | No |
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