title: Transoral laser microsurgery elevates fundamental frequency in early glottic cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term voice characteristics and quality of life of early glottic cancer patients after definitive treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with chart review in a tertiary care medical center in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two consecutive patients who received radiation therapy (RT) or transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for early glottic cancer over 12 months were evaluated for voice laboratory data and quality-of-life measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four patients received RT, and 18 underwent TLM. There was no difference between the two groups on acoustic and aerodynamic voice measures except for modal fundamental frequency in males. In the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck survey, the TLM group had better communication than the RT group, but there were no differences in voice quality and strength. There was also no significant difference in the Voice Handicap Index 10 evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Male patients who received TLM have higher modal fundamental frequency than male patients who received RT and norms. Voice-related life quality is similar in patients regardless of RT or TLM treatment for early glottic cancer, but those who receive TLM have better communication abilities than those who receive RT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Tuan-Jen
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Chien-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Joseph Tung-Chieh
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chun-Ta
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: I-How
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsueh-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010699:Phonation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014833:Voice Quality