Objective evaluation of the quality of voice following radiation therapy for T1 glottic cancer.
BACKGROUND
Radiation therapy is commonly considered the treatment of choice for T1 glottic cancer. While it is generally believed that the quality of voice following irradiation is quite satisfactory, few studies have reported the results of objective assessment of voice after radiation therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To objectively evaluate the quality of voice following radiation therapy for T1 glottic cancer.


METHODS
The voices of 12 patients treated for T1 glottic cancer with radiation therapy were evaluated by acoustic analysis and speech aerodynamic studies. Eleven patients received between 6300 and 6665 cGy at a daily fraction size of 180-225 cGy. One patient received 7000 cGy at a daily fraction size of 200 cGy. Evaluation of the quality of voice was done 3 months to 7 years following completion of radiation therapy.


RESULTS
The number of patients who scored abnormal values for the measurements of fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer and harmonic to noise ratio was 2, 10, 4 and 3, respectively. The number of patients who scored abnormal values for transglottic airflow rate, subglottal pressure and glottal resistance was 12, 8 and 9, respectively. None of the studied patients scored normal values in all given tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Although radiation therapy cures a high proportion of patients with T1 glottic cancer, the quality of voice does not return to normal following treatment.
Aref
A
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Karmanos Cancer Institute/Harper Hospital, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Dworkin
J
J
Devi
S
S
Denton
L
L
Fontanesi
J
J
D000162:Acoustics; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005931:Glottis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes