Original Article

Voice outcomes after radiotherapy treatment for early glottic cancer: Assessment using multidimensional tools

  1. Jessica R. L. Bibby BSpPath (Hons)1,
  2. Susan M. Cotton MAppSci2,
  3. Alison Perry PhD1,*,
  4. June F. Corry FRANZCR3

Article first published online: 20 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/hed.20750

Issue

Head & Neck

Head & Neck

Volume 30, Issue 5, pages 600–610, May 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bibby, J. R. L., Cotton, S. M., Perry, A. and Corry, J. F. (2008), Voice outcomes after radiotherapy treatment for early glottic cancer: Assessment using multidimensional tools. Head & Neck, 30: 600–610. doi: 10.1002/hed.20750

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Human Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia

  2. 2

    ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

  3. 3

    Division of Radiation Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St. Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

*School of Human Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 APR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 20 DEC 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 22 AUG 2007

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Keywords:

  • voice;
  • glottic cancer;
  • radiotherapy;
  • assessment;
  • outcomes

Abstract

Background.

This is the first prospective study to use instrumental and both clinician- and client-rated auditory-perceptual measures to examine voice and voice-related quality of life changes in patients after curative radiotherapy for early glottic cancer.

Method.

Thirty patients undergoing curative radiotherapy treatment for early glottic cancer completed the following: 3 voice tasks for acoustic, aerodynamic, and auditory-perceptual voice measures (therapist-rated); a patient self-report rating of voice quality; and a voice-related quality of life assessment before and 12 months after radiotherapy.

Results.

Patients' perceptions of their voice quality and their voice-related quality of life significantly improved posttreatment, as did acoustic, aerodynamic, and auditory-perceptual voice measures. Mean speaking fundamental frequency did not change significantly, although breathiness and strain in the voice recordings were demonstrably reduced.

Conclusion.

In describing postradiotherapy voices in this study, pertinent measures of voice outcomes have been established, setting the benchmark for comparison in future cohort studies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008

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