Objective and subjective changes in voice quality after radiotherapy for early (T1 or T2, N0) laryngeal cancer: A pilot prospective cohort study1. Issue 3 (24th February 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adams, Gerard; Burnett, Robyn; Mills, Ellen; Penniment, Michael
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 35:Issue 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 376
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2012-02-24
• Subjects: Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.22969
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Limited data exist on long‐term voice quality after treatment for early laryngeal cancer. We report on the feasibility of establishing a dedicated service to assess changes after radiotherapy.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>From June 1999 to December 2005, all patients referred for radical radiotherapy for early laryngeal cancers were invited to join a prospective cohort study. Subjective and objective voice quality tests were performed before and after treatment and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Twenty‐seven patients were screened for the study. Sufficient data were available for 15 (56%) patients. Both subjective and objective assessments improved significantly.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This pilot study shows that it is possible to collect prospective voice quality data. There are both subjective and objective improvements in voice that persist to at least 2 years after radiotherapy. We propose the use of the methods described here to study voice outcomes in a lager cohort of patients treated with both surgery and radiotherapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>