"Life after treatment": what physicians consider important for oral cancer survivors' quality of life.

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.