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This work aimed at evaluating patients' swallowing functions by a newly validated swallow-specific questionnaire, the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ), in a cohort of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. Mean/median SSQ scores were calculated and compared with study variables using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The mean composite SSQ scores (SD) for the base of tongue, oral tongue, and tonsillar cancer patients were 663.8 (382.8), 456.2 (407.6), and 283.0 (243.1), respectively ( p = 0.005); for advanced vs. early T stage disease they were 918.1 (319.5) vs. 344.8 (292.1) ( p ≤ 0.001); for patients <60 years vs. ≥60 years they were 549.3 (415.1) vs. 314.0 (247.3) ( p = 0.02); and for patients with reconstruction vs. without reconstruction they were 676.5 (410.5) vs. 331.9 (286.5) ( p = 0.002). SSQ is a useful tool for evaluation of swallowing in head and neck cancer patients. Site of cancer, T stage, patient's age, and reconstruction directly affect post-treatment swallow outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are insufficient data on swallowing and the consequences of its dysfunction in patients with cancers of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP) that are treated with primary surgery. The study attempts to explore the effect of important clinico-demographic variables on post-treatment swallowing and related quality of life (QOL) in post-surgical OC and OP cancer patients. Sixty-two consecutive OC and OP cancer patients completed the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) questionnaire. Mean scores were computed. Comparison of scores based on mean ranks were performed using Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.02. Adjustments were made for multiple comparisons. Significantly worse mean (SD) QOL scores were observed in late T-stage (T3/T4) versus early T-stage (T1/T2) patients for global domain, physical domain, functional domain and emotional domains [44.4 (21.9) vs. 78.7 (22.7) ( P < 0.001); 50.0 (9.4) vs. 75.9 (16.3), ( P < 0.0001); 57.8 (20.6) vs. 84.1 (16.7), ( P < 0.001) and 55.2 (18.0) vs. 78.5 (16.3), ( P < 0.001)], respectively. Patients undergoing reconstruction versus without reconstruction had worse QOL scores; 58.8 (26.9) versus 79.5 (22.8), ( P < 0.01); 61.2 (15.1) versus 76.4 (17.5), ( P = 0.002); 65.4 (20.5) versus 86.3 (15.9), ( P < 0.0001) and 63.3 (18.8) versus 79.8 (16.3), ( P < 0.01), respectively, for global, physical, functional and emotional domains. Advanced T-stage, reconstruction, younger age and base of tongue tumours have a negative impact on post-treatment swallow function and related QOL in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to explore the impact of important clinico-demographic factors on the post-treatment quality of life (QOL) in surgically treated oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. 63 consecutive follow-up oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients treated primarily with surgery were recruited. 55 patients sent the completed questionnaires and finally included in this study. QOL and important sub-domains of the QOL were assessed. Mean QOL scores (SD) were computed, level of significance was set at P < 0.05. The mean composite QOL score and standard deviation (SD) for oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients were 76.6 (15.2) and 73.4 (13.9), respectively. Patients with higher T-stage (T3 and T4) and higher overall-stage (III and IV) had lower mean QOL scores as against early T (T1 and T2) and overall early-stage (I and II); mean scores (SD) 64.3 (13.6) and 72.3 (13.8), and 76.6 (13.6) and 81.7 (14.1), respectively. Younger patients had lower mean scores (SD) than older patients; mean QOL scores (SD) 69.7 (14.0) and 79.6 (SD), respectively. Patients with reconstruction had lower mean QOL scores as compared to those without reconstruction; mean scores (SD) 67.6 (16.0) and 77.4 (12.5), respectively. In conclusion, tumor-stage, overall-stage, age of patients, and reconstruction had a significant direct effect on the post-treatment QOL of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal care of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) involves a pre-determined period of post-treatment follow-up for the detection of recurrent or persistent disease, metastases and second primaries at the earliest opportunity. There is little evidence in literature as to whether the surveillance schemes should be based on patient survival, quality of life or cost-adjusted parameters. This article aims at highlighting some of the issues pertinent to the optimization of surveillance strategies in HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is now considered to be the preferred method for voice rehabilitation after laryngectomy . The traditional method of creating a puncture with a no. 11 stab knife often leads to an eccentric puncture with irregular ragged margin, leading to scarring in the future. In this report we describe the innovative way of creating a TEP using a carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser. This novel method of using a laser for the creation of a precise TEP could, perhaps, influence peri-prosthetic leakage and lead to better voice rehabilitation for patients that have undergone laryngectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a high incidence of hypopharyngeal cancer is our country due to the habits of tobacco and alcohol. Moreover these cases are often detected in the late stages thereby making the issue of reconstruction very tedious and unpredictable. There are a number of options for laryngopharyngeal reconstruction available now including the use of microvascular flaps depending upon the patient's fitness, motivation, technical expertise, size and extent of the defect. This article reviews the different methods of laryngopharyngeal repair as regards their success rate, radiation tolerance, morbidity & mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on technological advancement in electronic voice aids or artificial larynx (AL). Types of AL; Use of space age materials to improve type of machine; Changes on power sources of AL devices.

A letter to the editor is presented commending the articles on quality of life and medical rehabilitation.