| The incidence of oral cavity cancer is about 6.0 per 100,000 in men and 4.2 per 100,000 in women in The Netherlands in 2003. In 2000-2002, the 5-year survival was about 58% for oral cavity cancer. The objective of this prospective cohort study is to quantify oral function of patients with oral malignancy at different stages of treatment, i.e. before intervention, 5 weeks after surgical intervention and/or radiation therapy, half a year, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after intervention, reconstruction and rehabilitation. A cohort of 350 patients with malignancy in the oral cavity will be included. During each session oral function is quantified by measuring: masticatory function, bite-, tongue-, and lip force, mouth-, tongue-, and lip mobility, oral sensibility, saliva production, swallow function, speech, and mobility of neck and shoulders. Furthermore, data about quality of life (EORTC), depression (CES-D) and coping-style (CISS) will be obtained. |
