Can chemo-radiotherapy for non-laryngeal cancer affect acoustics of voice – a preliminary study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Treatment for cancer using chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy are age old treatment procedures which are found to be efficient in eradicating cancerous cells thereby improving overall quality of life of the individual. Though they seem to improve the disease condition, they adversely affect different bodily systems and functions. One such effect is noted in literatures on regard of voice acoustics. Knowledge in voice acoustics in these participants would adequately provide management options before and after treatment. In our study we aim to estimate extend of voice changes in participants undergoing radiation therapy for non-laryngeal head and neck cancer. Methods: Multidimensional voice profile (MDVP) was used to assess voice parameters on three time basis such as pre-treatment, immediate post treatment and one month after post treatment. Results: Significant difference was seen between all the three time points namely; pre-treatment, post treatment and one month after post treatment were observed. Conclusion: The study revealed that, radiation therapy significantly affects the voice parameters in the same way as it affects other parts of the body. Though these effects seem to be of higher significance, during and immediate treatment; the recovery on late post treatment is satisfactory.