Association of Risk Factors With Patient-Reported Voice and Speech Symptoms Among Long-term Survivors of Oropharyngeal Cancer

Abstract

Key Points Question What factors are associated with moderate to severe voice and speech symptoms among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)? Findings In this retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional survivorship survey administration, of 881 survivors of OPC who were included in analysis, 113 (12.8%) reported moderate to severe voice and speech symptoms. Increasing survival time and total radiation dose, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, current cigarette smoking at the time of the survey, multimodality treatment with induction and concurrent chemotherapy, and late and baseline lower cranial neuropathy were identified as risk factors for moderate to severe voice and speech symptoms, and an intensity-modulated split-field radiotherapy regimen was associated with better voice and speech symptoms. Meaning These findings may have clinical implications for OPC treatment and survivorship, and the preservation of function and quality of life should be considered without compromising oncological outcomes.