Long-term functional outcomes in tumour stage T glottic carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term functional outcomes in patients who received primary radiotherapy for tumour-node stage TN glottic carcinoma, stratified for tumour extension.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on patients who were treated with radiotherapy for TN glottic carcinoma. Four questionnaires were used to measure different aspects of functional outcome. In addition, objective evaluation and perceptual analysis were performed.

Results: Fourteen patients were included in this study. The median time between the start of radiotherapy and assessment was 42 months (range, 26-143 months). Patients reported high-level functioning, with low symptom scores and good swallowing function, and showed a median dysphonia grade of 1.5. The median Voice Handicap Index-30 score was 17.5.

Conclusion: Patients with TN glottic carcinoma treated with radiotherapy had good long-term quality of life, with low symptom scores, good swallowing functioning and slightly elevated voice outcome parameters.