{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T01:40:14Z","timestamp":1760146814210,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"24","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]],"date-time":"2024-12-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1734393600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Cancers"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Treatments for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) often result in significant aesthetic and functional issues, impacting patients\u2019 quality of life (QoL). The COVID-19 pandemic\u2019s mask mandates may have provided psychosocial benefits by concealing facial disfigurements, potentially reducing stigma. This study aimed to assess the impact of mask-wearing on the QoL of patients surgically treated for OSCC. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2022 to December 2023, included patients who had completed their treatment and returned home before or during the mask-wearing mandate. They answered a questionnaire using a four-point Likert scale to evaluate the mask-wearing\u2019s impact on QoL and the influence on it of physical appearance, tumor localization, radiotherapy, and treatment end date. Results: The questionnaire analysis found a high internal consistency among the questions (Cronbach\u2019s alpha = 0.931). Considering 41 patients (median age 69, 63% male), wearing a mask significantly improved QoL, with a mean score of 1.66 compared to a score of 2.00 for patients not wearing it (p &lt; 0.001). This improvement was particularly notable for appearance concerns, fear of perception by family or others, and sociability apprehension. The QoL, with or without mask use, was not significantly modified when considering physical appearance, tumor localization, radiotherapy, or end date of the treatment, as demonstrated by two-way ANOVA tests and multiple linear regression. Conclusions: Mask-wearing positively impacted QoL in OSCC patients, providing psychological relief from disfigurement and social stigma. Masks offer a simple, accessible solution to enhance QoL while awaiting a definitive prosthetic treatment, suggesting that their continued use could be beneficial in supportive care strategies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers16244199","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]],"date-time":"2024-12-17T05:26:02Z","timestamp":1734413162000},"page":"4199","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Impact of Face Mask-Wearing on Quality of Life in Post-Surgical Oral Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5612-880X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Romain","family":"Lan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Aix-Marseille Univ CNRS, ADES, 13015 Marseille, France"},{"name":"Functional Unit of Maxillo-Facial Prosthesis, Timone University Hospital, 13005 Marseille, France"},{"name":"Laboratory \u201cHealth, Systemic, Process\u201d (P2S), UR4129, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6087-2394","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric","family":"Silvestri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Aix-Marseille Univ CNRS, ADES, 13015 Marseille, France"},{"name":"Functional Unit of Maxillo-Facial Prosthesis, Timone University Hospital, 13005 Marseille, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0147-8466","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maryem","family":"Rhanoui","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratory \u201cHealth, Systemic, Process\u201d (P2S), UR4129, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Cassandre","family":"Bezier","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Functional Unit of Maxillo-Facial Prosthesis, Timone University Hospital, 13005 Marseille, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nicolas","family":"Fakhry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, La Conception University Hospital, 13005 Marseille, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6823-1636","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Florence","family":"Carrouel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratory \u201cHealth, Systemic, Process\u201d (P2S), UR4129, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7530-846X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chlo\u00e9","family":"Mense","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Aix-Marseille Univ CNRS, ADES, 13015 Marseille, France"},{"name":"Functional Unit of Maxillo-Facial Prosthesis, Timone University Hospital, 13005 Marseille, France"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1038\/s41572-020-00224-3","article-title":"Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma","volume":"6","author":"Johnson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1080\/14737140.2019.1561288","article-title":"Oral and Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Prognostic and predictive parameters in the etiopathogenetic route","volume":"19","author":"Panarese","year":"2019","journal-title":"Expert. Rev. Anticancer Ther."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105451","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oraloncology.2021.105451","article-title":"Overview of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Diagnostics","volume":"121","author":"Chamoli","year":"2021","journal-title":"Oral Oncol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijom.2021.03.015","article-title":"What Has the National Cancer Database Taught Us about Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma?","volume":"51","author":"Graillon","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1074","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjoms.2019.09.018","article-title":"Incidence, Timing, Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Second Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Oral Cancer","volume":"57","author":"Rogers","year":"2019","journal-title":"Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100562","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oor.2024.100562","article-title":"The Impact of Emotional Distress on Suicidal Ideation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Review","volume":"11","author":"Baluni","year":"2024","journal-title":"Oral Oncol. Rep."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hammerm\u00fcller, C., Hinz, A., Dietz, A., Wichmann, G., Pirlich, M., Berger, T., Zimmermann, K., Neumuth, T., Mehnert-Theuerkauf, A., and Wiegand, S. (2021). Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in a Large Sample of Patients Suffering from Head and Neck Cancer in Comparison with the General Population. BMC Cancer, 21.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12885-020-07773-6"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6714","DOI":"10.3390\/curroncol29090527","article-title":"Dealing with the Vicissitudes and Abject Consequences of Head and Neck Cancer: A Vital Role for Psycho-Oncology","volume":"29","author":"Mascarella","year":"2022","journal-title":"Curr. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1186\/s41235-022-00436-z","article-title":"Effects of Widespread Community Use of Face Masks on Communication, Participation, and Quality of Life in Australia during the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"7","author":"Galvin","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cogn. Res. Princ. Implic."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1620","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jds.2023.12.005","article-title":"The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment","volume":"19","author":"Nishimura","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Dent. Sci."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1186\/s12992-020-00615-x","article-title":"Social Capital and Public Health: Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"16","author":"Wong","year":"2020","journal-title":"Glob. Health"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1500","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijsu.2014.07.014","article-title":"Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): Explanation and Elaboration","volume":"12","author":"Vandenbroucke","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Surg."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lavdaniti, M., Tilaveridis, I., Palitzika, D., Kyrgidis, A., Triaridis, S., Vachtsevanos, K., Kosintzi, A., and Antoniades, K. (2022). Quality of Life in Oral Cancer Patients in Greek Clinical Practice: A Cohort Study. J. Clin. Med., 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm11237235"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2415","DOI":"10.1007\/s00405-014-3169-1","article-title":"Health-related quality of life of head and neck cancer patients with successful oncological treatment","volume":"272","author":"Loimu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1145","DOI":"10.1007\/s11136-020-02716-x","article-title":"Health-Related Quality of Life and Overall Survival: A Prospective Study in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy","volume":"30","author":"Buffart","year":"2021","journal-title":"Qual. Life Res."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"De Vet, H.C.W., Terwee, C.B., Mokkink, L.B., and Knol, D.L. (2011). Measurement in Medicine: A Practical Guide, Cambridge University Press. [1st ed.].","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511996214"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oraloncology.2017.12.020","article-title":"Mandibular Reconstruction","volume":"77","author":"Kakarala","year":"2018","journal-title":"Oral Oncol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McDowell, L., Rischin, D., Gough, K., and Henson, C. (2022). Health-Related Quality of Life, Psychosocial Distress and Unmet Needs in Older Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Front. Oncol., 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2022.834068"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"526","DOI":"10.1001\/archotol.133.6.526","article-title":"Life After Total Laryngectomy: A Measure of Long-Term Survival, Function, and Quality of Life","volume":"133","author":"Woodard","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch. Otolaryngol. Head. Neck Surg."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1007\/s00405-007-0561-0","article-title":"Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancers Patients: Predictive Factors, Functional and Psychosocial Outcome","volume":"265","author":"Babin","year":"2008","journal-title":"Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"592","DOI":"10.1038\/bjc.1995.115","article-title":"Psychological Distress in Head and Neck Cancer Patients 7\u201311 Years after Curative Treatment","volume":"71","author":"Bjordal","year":"1995","journal-title":"Br. J. Cancer"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1007\/s12663-021-01658-2","article-title":"Assessment of Shame and Stigma in Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-Analysis","volume":"23","author":"Goyal","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"806","DOI":"10.1097\/00005537-199806000-00006","article-title":"Relationship Between Quality of Life and Depression in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer","volume":"108","author":"Long","year":"1998","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aforl.2022.01.001","article-title":"Quotidien de vie des patients avec cancer des VADS pendant la p\u00e9riode COVID","volume":"139","author":"Babin","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ann. Fran\u00e7aises D\u2019oto Rhino Laryngol. Et De Pathol. Cervico Faciale"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6297","DOI":"10.1007\/s00520-021-06198-6","article-title":"The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Survivors","volume":"29","author":"Gallo","year":"2021","journal-title":"Support Care Cancer"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1002\/hed.10174","article-title":"Psychosocial Adjustment in Head and Neck Cancer: The Impact of Disfigurement, Gender and Social Support","volume":"25","author":"Katz","year":"2003","journal-title":"Head. Neck"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Huang, R.W., Chang, K.P., Marchi, F., Yuen Yung Loh, C., Lin, Y.J., Chang, C.J., and Kao, H.K. (2022). The Impact of Depression on Survival of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Front. Oncol., 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2022.871915"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kanzow, P., Dylla, V., Mahler, A.M., Hrasky, V., R\u00f6dig, T., Barre, F., Scheithauer, S., and Wiegand, A. (2021). COVID-19 Pandemic: Effect of Different Face Masks on Self-Perceived Dry Mouth and Halitosis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18179180"},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"Dupuy, L., and Satabin, E. (2022). Impact du Port du Masque sur la Qualit\u00e9 de vie des Patients Paralys\u00e9s Faciaux P\u00e9riph\u00e9riques. [Thesis for the Speech Therapist\u2019s Certificate of Study, Sorbonne University]."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106573","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oraloncology.2023.106573","article-title":"Obermeier KT. New Insights into Redox-Related Risk Factors and Therapeutic Targets in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma","volume":"147","author":"Dewenter","year":"2023","journal-title":"Oral Oncol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yasin, M., Abbas, Z., and Hafeez, A. (2022). Correlation of Histopathological Patterns of OSCC Patients with Tumor Site and Habits. BMC Oral Health, 22.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-022-02336-6"}],"container-title":["Cancers"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6694\/16\/24\/4199\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T16:53:36Z","timestamp":1760115216000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6694\/16\/24\/4199"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"24","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12]]}},"alternative-id":["cancers16244199"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cancers16244199","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6694"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2072-6694"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,17]]}}}