[Epidermoid carcinoma of piriform sinus after chemo-radiotherapy: acoustic evaluation and voice handicap].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective investigation was to analyse the voice and the vocal handicap for patients who received concomitant chemoradiation therapy in piriform sinus epidermoid carcinoma (T2, T3).


METHODS
This study included two males populations: Twelve patients aged from 48 to 71 years old were evaluated between 6 and 30 months after the end of chemo-radiotherapy and ten normal subjects, matched in age. The evaluation consisted in firstly a vocal recording (vowel and text) allowing an objective acoustic analysis (temporal and frequential parameters) and a perceptive evaluation of the voice quality by means of GRBAS scale. Secondly an evaluation of the quality of life by means of the voice handicap index (VHI).


RESULTS
The acoustic parameters of instability for the fundamental frequency (FO) and the maximum phonation time of the patients were statistically different (p <0.05) related to the normal subjects. On the other hand, the FO (patients - 130 Hz, subjects = 121 Hz) as well as the speech rate (patients = 142 words/mn, subject = 148 words/mn) were not statistically different. The perspective indexes showed a deterioration of the vocal quality while the handicap expressed was minor.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study showed the interest of evaluations of the vocal function and the quality of life after chemo-radiotherapy for piriform sinus carcinomas allowing patients to conserve a phonation and eventually the propose a speech therapy.
Dubois
M D
MD
CHU Bellevue, Service ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale et Plastique, 42055 St-Etienne, France. m.dominique.dubois@chu-st-etienne.fr
Crevier-Buchman
L
L
Martin
C
C
Prades
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010699:Phonation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil