Quality of life tools in head and neck oncology

SummaryObjectiveQuality of life (QoL) is now as much an assessment criterion in clinical trials in head and neck oncology as are survival and response rate. It is therefore important to be able to choose an adapted tool from the wide range of QoL instruments available. The present study presents an inventory of QoL scales validated in their French-language version, to facilitate the selection of appropriate tools showing good psychometric properties.Materials and methodsQoL scales cited in all 492 French and English language articles published between March 1st, 2006 and April 3rd, 2012, referenced on Medline and retrieved using the keywords “quality of life” AND “head and neck” AND “cancer”, were inventoried and classified thematically in a search of the literature.ResultsNinety QoL scales are presented by theme (ORL oncology, voice, swallowing and mastication, mucosities and xerostomia, etc.), specifying psychometric quality and citation level.ConclusionThe present report constitutes a guide to selecting QoL tools adapted to head and neck oncology studies.