Research

Risk Factors for Voice Quality in Glottic Carcinoma (T1, T2) Following Curative Radiotherapy

Roshan K. Verma, Nishikanta Tripathi, Naresh Panda, Sushmita Ghosal and Anuradha Sharma
World Journal of Surgical Medical and Radiation Oncology 2014, 3:2

Abstract

Objective

To analyze various factors affecting the recovery of voice quality in patients of early glottic cancer (T1, T2 disease) before and after receiving curative radiotherapy.

Study Design

Prospective study carried out between Jan. 2010 – Dec. 2011.

Setting

The voice of patients of glottis carcinoma visiting our tertiary care hospital was assessed before and after radiotherapy and risk factors preventing return of voice to normal was assessed.

Methods

Fifteen patients of early glottis carcinoma (T1, T2) underwent voice assessment which included Perceptual analysis of voice by speech therapist and otolaryngologist, acoustic analysis of voice. Assessment was done prior to commencement of radiation therapy and at 1 month and 3 months following radiotherapy. Factors like smoking, anterior commissure involvement, stage of tumor and dose of radiation on the return of quality of voice was assessed.

Results

There was significant improvement in majority of the voice parameters post radiotherapy but the voice returned to normal in only 11% of the patients. Perceptual analysis (GRABAS) showed no difference in the quality of voice for smoking, stage of tumor, radiation dose and anterior commissure involvement. While acoustic analysis showed Smokers with glottic carcionoma had significant higher value of jitter before radiation than non-smokers and continued to remain higher even after radiotherapy. Jitter was seen to be significantly higher value in stage-II than stage I disease.

Conclusion

Voice quality improves following radiotherapy but not all the patients regain normal voice. Various factors affect the voice in patients of glottis carcinoma

Key words

Risk factor, voice quality, glottis carcinoma, radiotherapy

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