Although oral symptoms and complications are well-known side effects of cancer treatment, very little is known about their prevalence among patients with lung cancer. Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the occurrence and intensity of self-reported oral problems among patients with lung cancer. Material and methods: The sample consists of 400 consecutive patients (52% men, 48% women) with a confirmed diagnosis of primary lung cancer. Their mean age was 64.5±10.5. The patients were interviewed at six time points during the first year post diagnosis. At each time point, they completed a number of structured instruments to assess symptom experience, as well as the EORTC QLQ-C30+LC13 questionnaires to measure their health-related quality of life. Results: The occurrence of pain in the oral cavity varied from 10.4 to 18.2% over time among the respondents and the occurrence of dysphagia from 20.3 to 25%, with few people reporting high intensity levels of these problems. There were statistically significant relationships between pain in the oral cavity/dysphagia and global health status as well as all functional scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 at most assessments. Conclusions: There is a moderate incidence of self-reported oral problems among patients with lung cancer. However, these problems are related to patients' health-related quality of life, thus indicating the importance of adequate oral hygiene and oral care.

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